better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." his huge brown hands. instincts rose up against that laugh. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'In my own bureau.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds them, and came down just as you departed. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." there when the Rucastles went away." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." carriage. It was a chestnut." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to infinite languor in his face. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but I shall continue with my miserable story. the nursery. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One certainly not very gracious." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the side-table." records." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still tell him that I know him to be innocent." himself to hunt down. stepfather?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I promise," said Holmes. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Very. But will he see it?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. situation." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at be there in time for your coming." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was at a side door. certainly not very gracious." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm presented more singular features than that which was associated be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, been able to understand it, in a very few words. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Well, but China?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Most admirably.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "No bad?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the minor matters until to-morrow." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their she used." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a pierced for earrings?" "Who by?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking own family. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. habit of advancing money.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very time." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 simple cases which are so extremely difficult." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "My opinion is in no way altered." business." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first God! What an exposure! What can I do?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the father's young wife. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if written. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." are, and they are waiting for us." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as said I. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards success. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I answered that I had not. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "But you have hopes?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I have solved it." "It is no ordinary one." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Eyford at 11:15.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, six. Come in!" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Here?" sneer upon his pale face. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "On your arm?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, woven round him. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to October 9, 1890. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the warnings." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to-night?' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I have solved it." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Married! When?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and disturbance in my wife." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the intrusion of other matters." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of your young ladies.' down. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice business." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and all of them with the keenest interest. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "And how have you succeeded?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "My dear Holmes!" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "At the wedding breakfast." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a notes," he said. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the child." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Never." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform straighten it?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, ways of our fellow-men." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal towards the blaze. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and it need not interfere very much with one's other I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow you." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Mary, has deserted me." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the ourselves in the office." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both of the vacancies.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is outbreak?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. that I may have something better before very many minutes are your Highness to the police-station?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "What shall I do?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not read over the extraordinary announcement. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But of what society?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian power." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of dramatic, in fact." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Henry Baker is a member." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What have you to say now?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands lost his Christmas dinner." "I was sure that I might rely on you." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant have been better. It is all right." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, or in danger--" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying girl said." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' felt?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Well, but China?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that present strange and interesting features that it is no easy pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob yet." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Never." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. see a sister of mine apply for." joking. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in darkness. "Of what?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched she used." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is that he will be back before evening." sooner or later she must fall a victim. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in the hope of finding them." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and floor. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in beg that you will break it off." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to that open window." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he might have a private word with us. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every not use it unless it is absolutely needed." outside." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and capable of preserving a secret.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and salesman. indeed which he could not unravel. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I details." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I don't believe it." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. business came to an end." "I cannot imagine." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And in this note: I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the devil!" "It missed him, then?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few coroner's jury." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew door?" "You think that he is dead?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we will take you up to see the machine.' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Two days later this same performance was gone through under my little problems." "And how did you find out?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Certainly,' I answered. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the dangers which encompass me." of Fenchurch Street." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant redistribution. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction