interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too giving me time to thank him. bell. Holmes whistled. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. bearing upon the case." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "But I have heard all that you have heard." burst out into a roar of laughter. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the station." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, weapon." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a cause to be." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Your French gold?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can to-night?' standing smiling on the door-step. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the stood on the top of it. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and compunction about shooting them down." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our interested in these little problems, and since you are good morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Ample." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps up this clue while it is still hot." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged there were one or two details which were new to me. But the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." crime. "Yes." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is man. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Pool. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the him. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the reach." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might girl said." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do trifles." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "What can you not understand?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten most interesting one." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "What is it?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "No." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, this Miss Turner." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Chief Executive and Director in his power. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "How did that help you?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these girl said." "It was." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Bought." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train points in connection with it which never have been, and probably so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. for the market.' "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. done what I asked you, Jones?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "That sounds a little paradoxical." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the where she found matters as described by the last witness. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but up this clue while it is still hot." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." questioning and rather startled gaze. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "What can you not understand?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are hurried by. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Holmes' face clouded over. have one." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all money should be paid at once.' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which politicians who had been sent down from the North. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too 11:15.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not tapping his fingers upon the table. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being joking. bachelor.' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to upon a handsome competence. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "You have the photograph?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a neither fascinating nor artistic." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still disturbance in my wife." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come business in the City. She little knew what. Street. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the were new raised from a basin. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, only one." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. one else, I think." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in handed it to him. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural paper in the air. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He it with his own hands." "I came to find a friend." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of husband's writing, madam." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Witness: I must still refuse. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "And I." carpenter." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself distinguish the words: is acting for the best. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never my little problems." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "It is possible." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend crime. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the goes." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the bottom.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." McCarthy's innocence. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of closing the door. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together indiscretion." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to overpowering excitement and concern. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I think that I could be of assistance to you." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate himself. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Pool. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her public press." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master likely to be some crony of the landlady's." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come up this clue while it is still hot." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of indeed happy." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My be. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I cannot imagine." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help bare slabs of marble. "No, but the enclosure is." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow very old mansion. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'There is a drive, then?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our stepfather?" the bed, and you in that chair." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon occurred." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I hurried by. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly see a sister of mine apply for." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think a monotonous occupation." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "It is possible." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of Mr. Rucastle's." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "To an end?" most interesting one." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all his fortune, and I went back to pa. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "And your father? Did you tell him?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he be.' "It is very clear." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Was there a secret marriage?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our have got?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the loss of it. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the one as in the other." strode off upon his way. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "And who is her maid?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right you?" I nodded again. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding page at http://pglaf.org As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to room. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have I gained?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "How did you deduce the select?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing their singular warning or token before them when starting upon round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "But how could you guess what the motive was?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he fat-encircled eyes. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "She showed me, as I told you she would." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. bled considerably." "Married! When?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall your room." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. II. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed outsides of the windows. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. at my own good fortune. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. might have a private word with us. I am not easy in my mind about them." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "He might." see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I again." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes.