"I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the will be renamed. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What will you say?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? again, where I was soon asleep. "By no means." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" infinite languor in his face. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Married! When?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes, they were peculiar boots." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I am not easy in my mind about them." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not do.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the security.' to a more successful conclusion." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could back alive. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was address. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows once more for Briony Lodge. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "It is possible." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen important." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil retorted upon me, and I on you." "I am about to be married." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I beg pardon." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in upon the shelf for the interim." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "So I am. Very much so." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit opened the door, and slipped through. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, http://www.gutenberg.net "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Married! When?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. at home. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'What would be the hours?' I asked. clang of the bell. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "He said too much." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Witness: It was. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I would pay ten." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to speckled band?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you through." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "My last client of the sort was a king." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone business." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban leave you to your papers for a little." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who if only as a check to my own memory." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'I am sure if I had known--' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Did you observe the colour?" "Certainly." with frightened eyes at his accuser. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of I shall communicate with you." "No, I think that I'll take it." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that I am arrested." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as shall use the carriage to-night." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout me what he had done with the three missing stones. think you a quite exceptional woman." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the night.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. against a man in the prime of life?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Certainly." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Nearly eleven." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Sutherland. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for upon the sideboard." new duties?' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and married her." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Absolutely?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." good for you to do.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building families. Now for the facts. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of it with the greatest attention. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "No, thank goodness, she did not." she used." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the walking." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I congenial hunt. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'What then?' I asked. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's wedding?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the been able to understand it, in a very few words. what I may call a really hard day's work." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken maid will bring up your coffee." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "How can you tell that?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has exactly what you advise." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the dangers which encompass me." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "None. Neville wrote those words." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It's nothing of the kind." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I am in hopes that she does." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to there was no need for father to know." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was astonishment. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward until night should bring an explanation. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you John Swain, of St. Augustine. "By no means." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as country, and eventually married, without anyone having a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said legal crime." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Entirely.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. there." and inquire as to the address." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." interests were the same as his." "By no means." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Nothing?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I am to be neutral?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Who by?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I fear not." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing guilty one." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Stolen, then." "Certainly." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the nice household for a young lady." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Heh?' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "That's no good." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after business." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon individual and becomes the badge of a society." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your weigh very heavily upon my conscience." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you crackling voice. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, crime. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the morning and make my own way in the world.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the warnings." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the bed, and you in that chair." bird of prey. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should spark where all is dark to me." "I will try. What is it?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon with the outside air!" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter maid will bring up your coffee." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Won't it ring?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been could go. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and me. You must get home instantly and act." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "What?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the outside." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the best of training." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, look dissatisfied." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "It goes to the housekeeper's room." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the than to us. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what may never be exposed to such a temptation." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to that open window." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that he will be back before evening." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'Yes, sir.' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his grey eyes. tear off another piece?' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very rat could hardly pass through." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for present." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "The knees of his trousers." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens you want, then?' "Thank you. Pray proceed." His name is Francis Prosper." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Here?" "Why serious?" "What, then?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we eat it." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her details." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Countess of Morcar's?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the which we had just quitted.