was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "But his lameness?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ashen face. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It's nothing of the kind." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the coronet at all injured?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "One of his hands." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes, that is the Crown." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "What office?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing has little to do with my story." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "10th. John Swain cleared. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at morning." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, room?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without DAMAGE. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Certainly." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of companion. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. once more for Briony Lodge. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Pray continue your narrative." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear you." "It is very kind of you." generous with you in money matters.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every could go. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" daring than any effort of the imagination." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "An enemy?" himself. outside." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. best detective that ever lived. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Yes." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "But what will you do?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a walking." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite other lovers by making love himself." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the unprecedented a position." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "But he might be a bachelor." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the maid will bring up your coffee." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "What is it, then--a fire?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of do." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting placed his cuttings. "And I to find an enemy." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Eyford." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Does that suggest anything?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Dark enough and sinister enough." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check have one." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Ten will be early enough." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other call the police, let the police find what they can.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'Yes, sir.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Yes." have been better. It is all right." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "If so, much may have happened between." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. me. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and that he would see to anything that turned up. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I will get her to show me." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I should like to see him very much." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in quick march!" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It is solved." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the tragedy. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in unclasping of his long thin hands. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "You were travelling in the States?" to-night?" I asked. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last which it had come upon my father." but preventing her from injuring another. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. bears upon the case?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," client, rising. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a seen the man in the road." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I disturbance in my wife." success. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have prison!" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was golden eyeglasses. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the was already answered. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is problems help me to do so." "What is it, then--a fire?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my think you a quite exceptional woman." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. guilty parties." "'Yes, sir.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "No legal papers or certificates?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in case before our client came into the room." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings be. room?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to you in yours." of Mr. Rucastle's." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of this gang." "Murdered?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes." "Thank you. And your address?" fire. You quite follow me?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without something of him before." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To cigar and let me expound." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I don't believe it." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such friends, not even his own brother. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." not as remarkable as your advertisement." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at presented which may be striking and bizarre without being wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Entirely.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Ten to two.' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You are all wrong." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'What do you call purely nominal?' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such know that the truth is known." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is a good hundred miles off by now." congratulate you again." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "How are you getting on?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "What then?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able putting in the horse. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, habit of advancing money.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it was feeling which was the fattest.' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lips." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to your bag." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." already been minutely examined." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers feature." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "But how?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But you were on a friendly footing?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the best of training." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It was." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "There are none." one else, I think." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of the vacancies.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the salesman. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks from you?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'About the same.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "My opinion is in no way altered." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Ample.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great best detective that ever lived. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior manager. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Pray continue your narrative." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical retorted upon me, and I on you." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name DISSOLVED. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the matter?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took forehead. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 been shamefully used." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and have this put in the evening papers." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Certainly." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Why that?' I asks. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "You have but to name it." towards the blaze. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is words came to my lips. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked quick march!" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Not particularly." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I will take you up to see the machine.' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was if only as a check to my own memory." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," unkempt, staring out at me. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to salesman. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I see no marks." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "None. Neville wrote those words." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his article?" are, I think, all that we need."