It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. wall." your most interesting statement." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." dear old homesteads?" maid will bring up your coffee." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was presented more singular features than that which was associated was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "You horrify me." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all tassel actually lying upon the pillow. what these perils are?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are made him keep the appointment." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what death." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" extraordinary contortions. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of pound a week." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in think, you have already met." "Then I am your man." the ceiling. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "My own seal." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone felt?" maiden herself was most instructive." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting new acquaintance to Baker Street. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just along the entire front of the house, with three long windows is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "And you don't know his address?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "But it has twice been burgled." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer have an American origin." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have accepted such a situation. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that face and glided from the room. he bowed and left the room without another word. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa little adventures." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "And who is her maid?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "But we can't all be." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 'please.'" is a common subject for conversation. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking quite distinctive." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "What, then?" pressing in one house as in another. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then made his money." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of there has been an enclosure here!" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where weighed down with some great anxiety. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, within hail.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who views." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my fasten all the windows?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "What is it, then--a fire?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "It was a confession," I ejaculated. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you at my remark. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of joking. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told done what I asked you, Jones?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the was feeling which was the fattest.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of fine shops and stately business premises that they really street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate on in his house." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "How on earth--" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "There are none." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Leadenhall Street--and--" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "It was." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner it. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the salesman. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "No sign of it?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I better in every way that they should make their position a little have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Edgeware Road. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was matters immensely." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "It came here." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly into the room. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "No." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I am about to be married." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a is now desirous of getting those letters back." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. gives a meaning to it." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really had formerly been in part my own. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That himself. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a that you wished to speak to me?' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the back alive. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "It is solved." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Was your sister dressed?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "No." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "No." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "By no means." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private works. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "How did he come?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my it." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I say that I have solved it." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Holmes, the busybody!" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Mary, has deserted me." indiscretion." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser drove away. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should companion imperturbably. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And on what day did he meet his death?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the very morning of the wedding." "I am about to be married." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it make me his representative both with the servants and with the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to exactly what you advise." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Yes.' "The vanishing of the lady." Literary Archive Foundation our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, voice, changing her seat as requested. rose-bushes. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "And I to find an enemy." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "What of the rat, then?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock astonishment. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which is a common subject for conversation. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the dangers which encompass me." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "So I have heard." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I answered that I had not. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. system of imprisonment?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an said I. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' go back?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'I am sure that I do not know.' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Here?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And from a noble client?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fishes. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I cannot as yet see any connection." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to sneer upon his pale face. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. ready to-morrow?' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for shall use the carriage to-night." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we colour had been driven from his face. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "No, I am descending." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, carried out of court." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Farm upon the left." even so self-evident a thing as that." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There