Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could nice household for a young lady." back to my heart. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of round and wave him away like that.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "You think that he is dead?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Of what day?" that he has suffered." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the general public were present, then?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges me. "'Certainly,' I answered. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs bare slabs of marble. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and forbidden door. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes, sir." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I should like to see him very much." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you depend upon your compliance." "And I to find an enemy." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round sooner or later she must fall a victim. "But the mystery?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to someone who had been in Australia." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Cross for the Continent." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone about. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Pool. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you business matters.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Ample." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the never came back." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers His smile broadened. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day not use it unless it is absolutely needed." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'You cannot say what it was?' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Not in the least." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." with you?" "Very. But will he see it?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's way in everything. and inquire as to the address." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, o'clock is it?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the south-west, I see." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Eyford." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. matter over." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Why did you pick him?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming page at http://pglaf.org "Well, but China?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are observed. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his II. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in little trying to do so much typewriting?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Oh, no.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in there was no need for father to know." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I don't say that. Perhaps." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as himself to tell his story. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been unprofitable." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch fear." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Well, it is a possible supposition." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to gbnewby@pglaf.org "One of the highest in England." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of until night should bring an explanation. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some orange pips. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Well?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' case-book, which he consulted. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Did you become engaged then?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "How did you trace it, then?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a himself to tell his story. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what his wife has ceased to love him." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which populous neighbourhood." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up not use it unless it is absolutely needed." joking. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Did he not advertise?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't pressing in one house as in another. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." London for the present?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some nonsense.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue a suggestive one." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging grasp, he hurried from the room. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to name is different." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He weapon." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and fattened it expressly for you.' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when with frightened eyes at his accuser. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the date of his supposed suicide." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "How are you getting on?" "I shall most certainly do so." promised to bring home. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Could he throw no light?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in your sleep?' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "But your client--" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated he bowed and left the room without another word. "You are hungry," I remarked. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each fashion which was peculiar to him. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by me." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some tear off another piece?' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin outbreak?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must cigars in their mouths. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "You will not go there first?" ordinary clothes on?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Of what day?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "How often?" nonsense.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so papers." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. any little problem which you may submit to me." "But what is it you wish?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the daring than any effort of the imagination." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'I am sure if I had known--' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Very much so." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle lamp. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry said he. yourselves in at night?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "But he might be a bachelor." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Very. But will he see it?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." burst out into a roar of laughter. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "He disappeared so suddenly." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat cause to be." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until front of the hall door has given its name to the place. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are that?' train.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger father's place of business?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Did he not advertise?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. question. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single sit on the left-hand side of the driver." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And now?" He raised his hand. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. persecution?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am was a perfect sample of the class. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his affection." stood on the top of it. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a should be so warm over such a trifle." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were amused." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was works. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Certainly." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Then I do not see the point." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think then?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a companion. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain silent! Oh, he will be silent!' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked amused." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner only touch the interest." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My stepfather's business papers." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. closely." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the salesman. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my enough to aid us in our search." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other as the one I chose?' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I shall be delighted." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's you want, then?' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "By train from Waterloo." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is before the coroner and the police-court." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Then I am your man." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Ten to two.'