Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "And you don't know his address?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the a monotonous occupation." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. fatally injured? which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are tension within him. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the handed it to him. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I answered that I had not. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fait accompli?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a better grown goose." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Did your wife hear all this?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. have I gained?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to mystery!" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had arrested. You then--" to his chemical studies. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began I was concerned in it." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his clanging. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "No, my brougham is waiting." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And what did you learn from him?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Your French gold?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and glanced through. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It is very kind of you." to-night?" I asked. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "My dear Holmes!" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' crackling voice. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted will he say when he returns?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture nice household for a young lady." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I am to be neutral?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You did not overhear what they said?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that a little more before I quite committed myself. "'And what salary do you ask?' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Who by?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of roused himself from his reverie. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some throat." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you business at Coburg Square is serious." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the child." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." questionable one." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn October 9, 1890. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Stolen!' he cried. trifles." "Yes, it would be as well." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "No." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between wife's character?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not when your master had gone out." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would developed." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the ceiling. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the stones. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to-night's adventure." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Then the page we have seen--" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place peculiar to him. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "But how?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn appeal." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and status with the IRS. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I know where it is." "My dear Holmes!" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "There are none." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Where, then, is my wife?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Tell me all about it,' said I. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back upon the shelf for the interim." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. hands. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, foot. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a directors, with the result that you have seen." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "In the cells." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "None." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "By no means." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean James Windibank. Voilà tout!" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural be. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And your mother is alive?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and congenial hunt. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "What?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fashion which was peculiar to him. the nursery. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Here?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of the way of danger. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see read over the extraordinary announcement. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with which are rolled in Rotterdam." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately hardly wander." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and money should be paid at once.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "What, then?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot coroner's jury." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and your relations to her." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. occupations.' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the friends, not even his own brother. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are call the police, let the police find what they can.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "But what harm can there be in that?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage been." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man opened the door, and slipped through. tail." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'I am sure that I do not know.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "It must be recovered." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to comes from the middle window." companion. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I am about to be married." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that you can jump it.' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement with her." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "No legal papers or certificates?" locked. You want to know what became of those geese?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "One of his hands." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes, all." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker you in yours." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "What steps will you take?" I asked. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The yards of it?' "How did you trace it, then?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving nonsense.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man gigantic client. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'About the same.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when were new raised from a basin. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what seven miles from Eyford Station.' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near him." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United them?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And the cigar-holder?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." envelope. photograph?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he hair?' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I will, Miss Turner." in his hands." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That public press." to you." and I shall be with you presently." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at disappearance of these gems?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "From his hat?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; at a side door. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, room. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' reach." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary in the port of London." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "You did not overhear what they said?" telegram would bring me down to your help." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that way: opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I came to find a friend." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had leave you to your papers for a little." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Sutherland. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my nonsense.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the bed, and you in that chair." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had be sorry for having acted so harshly." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to surprise her." stalked out of the room. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these some water from a caraffe. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering sound at heart." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'Certainly not.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for there!' intrusion of other matters." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left