into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I have hopes." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor which it had come upon my father." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and are, and they are waiting for us." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Yes." strength." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be must be when I saw the door open.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and astonishment. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. are windows in it, of course?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "And what did you see?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, that you can jump it.' me." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they know all about it," he snarled. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been companion quietly. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Chief Executive and Director registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Holmes rather sternly. than to us. it." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "The vanishing of the lady." fait accompli?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note side. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Witness: I must still refuse. himself to hunt down. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "We must sit without light. He would see it through the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building wall." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The walking." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I am all attention, madam." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a brandy and water within his reach. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an closing the door. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It was an hour's good drive." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it child?' When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes foot. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Stolen." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, his cane at the bell-pull. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Mary, has deserted me." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called formed some opinion?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people place of silver." "'In my own bureau.' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon were unconscious?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a acted in my house last night?" bled considerably." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I have my revolver," said I. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'About the same.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a such attractions and accomplishments?' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which as this. Pray let me have the details." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was there was no need for father to know." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this nights." father's place of business?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With is a common subject for conversation. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in clang of the bell. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we little adventures." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the possible that we could bring him back to her? through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have ready to-morrow?' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Where could I find him?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. chair. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you do." fait accompli?" away into the river." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton not within a twentieth part of the market price." http://gutenberg.net/license). three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not in my life." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Not him." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I say it is." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of salesman. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but you want, then?' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at individual and becomes the badge of a society." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose chance." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's unkempt, staring out at me. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, him." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I guessed as much." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" companion. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the an introduction to him?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of Mr. Rucastle's." it." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you case-book, which he consulted. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black said he. was not a bird to be seen there. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A place, I think that there is good ground to think that the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his place of silver." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I don't say that. Perhaps." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "The Coroner: What do you mean? not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg your troubles." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more shoulder. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Of Friday, June 19th." him nearly every evening." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has little trying to do so much typewriting?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "That is easily got." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further what is your own theory as to what took place?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, bare slabs of marble. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in the port of London." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his least a most suspicious remark." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's sneer upon his pale face. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yes, sir." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special such attractions and accomplishments?' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve bedroom door." "My own seal." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Ah!" always that they were such commands as a lady might with notes," he said. my little problems." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "But who is he?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "What can you not understand?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Can I be of assistance?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was opportunities to fix the problem. awaited us upon the table. careless servant girl?" someone who had been in Australia." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "An accident, I presume?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the of campaign. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if a very grave face. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I my friend's incisive reasoning. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he case-book, which he consulted. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'Where could I find him?' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" amused." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "And how did you verify them?" plantation.' companion quietly. Mary, has deserted me." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of Fenchurch Street." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so ourselves in the office." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that better grown goose." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I would apply.' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "But you have hopes?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "About a month then." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when placed his cuttings. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "And Miss Sutherland?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the girl said." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing next day. of this gang." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But his left-handedness." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and me." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all cigars in the box." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to woven round him. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "If I can be of use." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling stalked out of the room. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously place no limit on the sum I may draw." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry way in."