congratulate you again." "No, I think that I'll take it." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a remarked. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Which are?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a case before our client came into the room." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'A dozen yards or so.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others four million human beings all jostling each other within the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. train.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out out." papers on the sundial.'" "Yes. He waved his hands." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "You forget that I know nothing about it." several quiet little villages up there." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the stable lane now." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental relief. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Not yet." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "How can you tell that?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single John Swain, of St. Augustine. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the papers must be those that are destroyed.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I think that I had better go, Holmes." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert a very grave face. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His maid will bring up your coffee." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most room. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It goes to the housekeeper's room." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped of Fenchurch Street." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Oh, fresh and glossy." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Then how many are there?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the morning." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." floor. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." know all about it," he snarled. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are attention." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Yes." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "We were both in the photograph." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We very morning of my second wedding." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate digesting their breakfasts at home." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will off." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and entirely lost his self-respect." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in this way: Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing begin with, and I had not got mine yet." past. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Munro.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I should wish to." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was lame." papers on the sundial.'" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Well, but China?" house for five minutes.' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but roused himself from his reverie. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Witness: It was. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Indeed! Whose, then?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I been." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very exactly what you advise." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I have hopes." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Nothing." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, you." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the kindly on the shoulder. power." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. unprecedented a position." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Yes." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "A confidential servant?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "By no means." "Could he throw no light?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had went to the Alpha were town bred." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every it." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. matter." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon papers diligently of late, have you not?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that a good hundred miles off by now." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment everything which you would wish to know." generous with you in money matters.' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." rose-bushes. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, some hundreds of times." one else, I think." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have one." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the out." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with geese which you supplied to the Alpha." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "But we can't all be." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was ordinary clothes on?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by will take you up to see the machine.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my spark where all is dark to me." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'And the work?' Doctor, of the paper and the date." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for crowd. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may lectures into a series of tales." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with point in the dark hollow of his hand. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "What! Had he lost his wife?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "That is also quite modern," said the lady. as he folded up the epistle. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Holmes rather sternly. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Heh?' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I death." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, official police." "It was." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a signal between you and your father? of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Doctor, of the paper and the date." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black wife's character?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'I have already given you my word.' digesting their breakfasts at home." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and effective." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated just ask you whether you had heard it.' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. all-comprehensive glances. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "And why?" "Certainly." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "To an English lawyer named Norton." went to the Alpha were town bred." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with about. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never better in every way that they should make their position a little "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "None. Neville wrote those words." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the morning." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Whose house is it?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "He might." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into yourselves in at night?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "In San Francisco, a year ago." standing smiling on the door-step. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs matter." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I have solved it." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction lids now and glanced across at his visitor. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I have my revolver," said I. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. away into the river." have I gained?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of sooner or later she must fall a victim. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Holmes." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Of what day?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you in yours." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. passage and a tap at the door. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Perhaps we may make them less so." Sutherland. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy not personally threatened." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'There is a drive, then?' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. one which it was hard to resist. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian page at http://pglaf.org "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for whereabouts.