"To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last wife's character?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a disappearance of the bride.'" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You have but to name it." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is there were one or two details which were new to me. But the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly to tell." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before page at http://pglaf.org him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "How do you know, then?" "When did it break out?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "One?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have when you have done it." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'What do you call purely nominal?' "In San Francisco, a year ago." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. night.' said he. to arrive at through this?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he bell. Holmes whistled. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the confronted him. "I shall most certainly do so." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know congratulate you again." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Precisely so. But how--" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. again on its way. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the coroner come to?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not his forehead." details." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her article?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "How many? I don't know." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "An accident, I presume?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop mystery may be cleared along those lines." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Did your wife hear all this?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how him and tried to hold him back. past. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled be sorry for having acted so harshly." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his know that the truth is known." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." arrested. You then--" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "How are you getting on?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the better grown goose." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Will you bet, then?" advice." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'Most admirably.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we was feeling which was the fattest.' should be taken.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped one of them." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Stoke Moran?" said he. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was to that open window." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, trifles." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to fashion which was peculiar to him. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in when you have done it." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that if she died from some sudden fright." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and glanced through. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the tail." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing ago." carried out of court." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the feature." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "How can you tell that?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yes, from Horsham." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Quite so. She has her freedom." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "You will not go there first?" a monotonous occupation." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'I have already given you my word.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'What do you call purely nominal?' drove away. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I would give my fortune to have them back." records." morning." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his face. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, with frightened eyes at his accuser. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But his left-handedness." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at mystery!" about here speaks of his kindness to him." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "What, then?" instituted." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a him nearly every evening." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has deduce something from that?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of His name is Francis Prosper." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But who is he?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened during which he might have communicated with his friend the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "One of his hands." "The King of Scandinavia." wall." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Where to?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The landlord of the Alpha." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite http://www.gutenberg.net his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," is four-and-twenty." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and glanced through. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "None." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of a light. the Assizes." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept away into the river." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." matter." business?" better grown goose." "But how will you look?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'I am sure that I do not know.' said I. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant against a man in the prime of life?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "What is it, then--a fire?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, said I. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the driver. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "You'll never persuade me to believe that." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall at my remark. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the window, rose as we entered. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "And how did he make his money?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "What then?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it foot. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fasten all the windows?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Could he throw no light?" opportunities to fix the problem. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in over here." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of are, I think, all that we need." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the taking in every detail of the apartment. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Perhaps we may make them less so." young Openshaw's." 1.E.9. your equipment. "'Yes, it was gone.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent will take you up to see the machine.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must tassel actually lying upon the pillow. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "10th. John Swain cleared. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, outbreak?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly some mystery and the punishment of some crime." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "So it appears." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Eyford at 11:15.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return a good hundred miles off by now." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself brain must have something in it." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And why?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Pray be precise as to details," said he. business came to an end." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and no precautions can guard against." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" that providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to