gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It is his hat." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" then?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the chemical work which was so dear to him. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to surprise her." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "What steps will you take?" I asked. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son do." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford neither fascinating nor artistic." "She will not sell." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and unclasping of his long thin hands. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I know where it is." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of the way of danger. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might coroner's jury." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause society." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the may have an influence upon European history." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a wall." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback nothing with him." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Ample." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You did not overhear what they said?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "It is to him that this trophy belongs." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white foresight and the moral retrogression?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "What office?" and have this put in the evening papers." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was on re-entering her father's house?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Why that?' I asks. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these something of him before." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes, I have one waiting." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making leaning back in his chair. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "But I have heard all that you have heard." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Then you may be so with me." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening populous neighbourhood." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the helping a boy to put up the shutters. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. events than those which have happened in my own family." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of him to go away.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "And help." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Sholtos." you for a few hours?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation followed. as this. Pray let me have the details." client, rising. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing him!" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too go from here to the Strand." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "That is unusual in a young girl." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It certainly sounds feasible." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, I am descending." which we had just quitted. "Have you her photograph?" voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "We must sit without light. He would see it through the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of awkward doing business with an alias." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying six. Come in!" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of campaign. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the as he folded up the epistle. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I your room." "I was sure that I might rely on you." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. go--none." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding he died? "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old voice, changing her seat as requested. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet prisoner's face. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people leave you to your papers for a little." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and dates and names. very morning of my second wedding." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right gone. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No legal papers or certificates?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Sutherland?" that he has suffered." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Why, what do you mean?" shaken than I had ever seen him. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had was the fact that his father should, according to his account, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the what these perils are?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "It's nothing of the kind." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'Most admirably.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy have got?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with bearing upon the case." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the bottom.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed attention." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes, sir." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and him!" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to into the bag, and made for the door. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No, I am descending." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "And what did you learn from him?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and your relations to her." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "How many? I don't know." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I have hopes." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I was mad--insane." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "His face fell immediately. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Here?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." that threaten you." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand posted to-day." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the fishes. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "No, thank goodness, she did not." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the indeed which he could not unravel. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up gone. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly in your London, you will know that the office of the company is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I am following you closely," I answered. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "And on what day did he meet his death?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg over part of the map. "What do you read?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had security.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom could not account in any way for the presence of the missing breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Sutherland?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "My private note-paper." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Will you go?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Well?" weary and pale-looking. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: province." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it conceal it?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently was keenly on my guard against him. "What is it?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I have solved it." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a girl said." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small mystery." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that do.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." already been minutely examined." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "One horse?" interjected Holmes. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I am sure." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she once more to my work. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, death." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of fine shops and stately business premises that they really come either from the window or the door. My attention was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. as this. Pray let me have the details." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And how?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the inner apartment." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'It is locked up,' I answered. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Yes." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four before, for it was considerably after midnight. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at joking. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, even so self-evident a thing as that." intrusion of other matters." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a heavily into it. gives a meaning to it." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "She showed me, as I told you she would." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had