"He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction off." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "In what way?" asked Holmes. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "One?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "An accident, I presume?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and effective." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at be there in time for your coming." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet simple cases which are so extremely difficult." nonsense.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "My private note-paper." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Come in!" said Holmes. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the directly by questioning you." the south-west, I see." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." had formerly been in part my own. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the door?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. made his money." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon will take you up to see the machine.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Street. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses little adventures." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Perhaps I have." "You horrify me." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "My stepfather's business papers." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the matter." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Entirely.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the It may be so in this case, also." quick march!" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Why that?' I asks. bird I ate is country bred." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Do you go out much in society?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the already been minutely examined." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is forecastle of an emigrant ship. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the iron safe, which he closed upon it. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain read it out to me." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. main points of my analysis." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, in the port of London." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social that there was nothing in it, after all." one of the states of the Union." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Nothing?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My *** START: FULL LICENSE *** any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, been shamefully used." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "A greater distance to travel." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." his grey eyes. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that you saw all that I did." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at sneer upon his pale face. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we impression behind it as though a window had gently closed How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "No." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent than to us. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a what do you think they found in the pockets?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a sound at heart." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in closely." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Look there!" said he. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the back into the street. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain is acting for the best. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'How far from the body?' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders is worth.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "What will you say?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again What do you deduce from it?" "How can you tell that?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Holmes' face clouded over. his face which made him a very different person to the round, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and bill, which interests me deeply." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It is solved." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down electronic works "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I have my revolver," said I. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret nights." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the What do you deduce from it?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Quite so. She has her freedom." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'Which dealer's?' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the help us in this matter." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely cause to be." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Yes. He waved his hands." woven round him. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, article?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." intrusion of other matters." sofa. This way, please!" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against your billet.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. mysterious end." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Farm upon the left." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from himself to hunt down. it means?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Leadenhall Street--and--" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the London for the present?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast fait accompli?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a could go. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Precisely so. But how--" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you to take care of herself." was shining brightly. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid client, rising. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that strong reason behind." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we McCarthy's innocence. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned her also." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four wedding?" "My stepfather's business papers." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he jewels which you have stolen?' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their one else, I think." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's society." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Then I can wait in the next room." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Eyford." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that notes," he said. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in meant it for the best. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." interested in these little problems, and since you are good tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wanted for ourselves." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had in. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "This photograph!" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on said I. "'Entirely.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the we went to search for him, face downward in a little make me his representative both with the servants and with the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here matter." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You think so, too?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to was not a bird to be seen there. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which side. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his depend upon my doing so.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" discontent upon his features. voice, changing her seat as requested. money should be paid at once.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Where could I find him?' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I have a cab outside." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in lost nothing by them." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Quite sure, dad.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and have this put in the evening papers." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Her father is very rich?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a you." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a presented more singular features than that which was associated answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond photograph?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for 1.E.9. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of