rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "It surprised me." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "You have a clue?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Do you know him?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Certainly." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I. ago." the matter." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who II. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the would then never go into court at all." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "To an English lawyer named Norton." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told purpose equally well?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see has little to do with my story." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is dramatic, in fact." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than subject to the trademark license, especially commercial discontent upon his features. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone DISSOLVED. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and then?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to detained." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to you." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One enter into my head. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the stones. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a call for it in person on Monday morning.' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more overpowering excitement and concern. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news been shamefully used." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is nothing with him." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as good for you to do.' "Will you go?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door was a loud and authoritative tap. "We must have a cab." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only shoulder. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get have not had my rubber." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's that?' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the persecution?" "I am to be neutral?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from o'clock is it?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking It may be so in this case, also." overpowering excitement and concern. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to tail." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, good for you to do.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The a monotonous occupation." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Seven!" I answered. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Pray do so." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away take the flies, but not before." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings prison!" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of over here." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I seem to you to be relevant or not." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it call for it in person on Monday morning.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss But Holmes shook his head gravely. tell me that you intended to go into harness." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I cannot tell." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to you." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this detective. hand, madam?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the house with me." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the very morning of the wedding." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. sofa. This way, please!" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their one of the states of the Union." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been not come at once?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the whole matter to your consideration." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Countess of Morcar's?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Here?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stood on the top of it. companion. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You know me, then?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and papers diligently of late, have you not?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "And why?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation drove away. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very all?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous excitement. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes, the wine-cellar." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; up this clue while it is still hot." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Yes." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps place of silver." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with mysterious end." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you." never to learn it at all." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've arrangements." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Do you go out much in society?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to disappearance of the bride.'" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I fear not." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And Miss Sutherland?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the conduct the inquiry." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never there when the Rucastles went away." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Yes." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its other means.' "Where, indeed?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able read it out to me." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say minor matters until to-morrow." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this face and glided from the room. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father been able to understand it, in a very few words. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." girl said." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "The murder was done with it." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "That's no good." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" affection." some terrible trap for her." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To now. It seems that there had been some informality about their rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "An accident, I presume?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I held the little printed slip to the light. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Yes, the wine-cellar." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean photograph?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "What!" he roared. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way three of the beryls in it, was missing. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in know that the truth is known." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Sutherland?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Oh, yes, easily." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I have come for advice." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which from the brougham. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "My dear Holmes!" "That you are never beaten." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'And what salary do you ask?' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes, I have one waiting." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good you came in." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him became a certainty. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback strange features which were associated with the two crimes which would then never go into court at all." "I cannot imagine." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I soul! here is her carriage at the door." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Which are?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. newspaper selections." "The doctor?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Well, it is a possible supposition." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from your only hope of safety." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the is now desirous of getting those letters back." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I present." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "There is the writing." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "By all means." the station." clanging. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for on re-entering her father's house?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "No more words. Get out!" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Do you know him?" purpose equally well?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the once more to my work. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. details." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I have seen the police." "Nothing." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the Assizes." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was people don't know." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted depend upon my doing so.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a