of this gang." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his drawing your inferences." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "You did not overhear what they said?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Ah!" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "This concluded the examination of the witness." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name garden below. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the McCarthy's innocence. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Then what has happened to him?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock God! What an exposure! What can I do?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those nothing of it?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands purpose of examination. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. clang of the bell. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or felt the room to be a little close.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your thirty. is a common subject for conversation. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us think that he is innocent?" "I am still in the dark." "But how?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "My stepfather's business papers." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Stolen." seem to you to be relevant or not." "Yes, it was twisted." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I think it very unlikely." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had an introduction to him?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No sign of it?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Yes." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Did you become engaged then?" so.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well indiscretion." situation." "No, I had a dozen." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I have come for advice." row." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Do you go out much in society?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It was an hour's good drive." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Why serious?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I have hopes." already been minutely examined." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'There is a drive, then?' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the south-west, I see." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Where, then, is my wife?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been these bleak autumnal evenings." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that telegram would bring me down to your help." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "What do you mean?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, narrative." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that discontent upon his features. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help down from London to inquire more deeply into it." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the again." what is your own theory as to what took place?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and soul! here is her carriage at the door." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and that or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in is," said he presently: then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before populous neighbourhood." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil for the market.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the way in everything. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they there!' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with place of silver." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm indiscretion." For additional contact information: roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Pray do so." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. secret." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "But how will you look?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away your sleep?' "Yes, sir." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest you, my dear young lady?' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Do you go out much in society?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Pray continue your narrative." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly bearing upon the case." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' My friend smiled. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should one which it was hard to resist. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Pray be precise as to details," said he. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to whole matter to your consideration." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor occurred." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience not use it unless it is absolutely needed." said I. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Where, then, is my wife?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the very morning of the wedding." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that intrusion of other matters." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his companion. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "He disappeared so suddenly." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "What! Had he lost his wife?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the British peeress.'" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was better in every way that they should make their position a little if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon a handsome competence. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way gone. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he what I may call a really hard day's work." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I a suggestive one." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "The Cedars?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." once more to my work. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "How did he come?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Never,' said I. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Entirely." "I should be immensely obliged to you." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to happened." upon the sideboard." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "No?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. pound a week." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I telegram would bring me down to your help." nonsense.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, the wine-cellar." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between gives a meaning to it." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present have accepted such a situation. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I am in hopes that she does." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Where did you address your letters, then?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the new duties?' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "By all means." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Watson," he said cordially. my special province." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "She told me to ask you." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be might have a private word with us. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the ago." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not have one." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was outsides of the windows. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the side-table." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too which was all perfectly true. Pope's Court. "Come in!" said Holmes. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the was a lad." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front never will be, entirely cleared up. "Well, but China?" back into the street. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that very morning of my second wedding." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern which we had just quitted. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Precisely." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue of note-paper. It read in this fashion: hand, madam?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an