pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in results." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the him nearly every evening." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to a more successful conclusion." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my fire. You quite follow me?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Yes, it was gone.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Precisely." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. already referred to. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "He disappeared so suddenly." Street. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "You are hungry," I remarked. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled enter into my head. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "How did he come?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. possible that we could bring him back to her? red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I have solved it." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his enough to aid us in our search." ordinary clothes on?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before it right.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before you found me to-night--and running through the front room she is entirely a question of barometric pressure." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his must be when I saw the door open.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending What do you deduce from it?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Chief Executive and Director corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your locked." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "But how will you look?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more time." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill not fit the lock." "Here?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" fled together." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." them?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his conceal it?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face province." read over the extraordinary announcement. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to you." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in tied." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Oh, yes, easily." should be so warm over such a trifle." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my make me his representative both with the servants and with the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'In my own bureau.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "They are typewritten," I remarked. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I say it is." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure said he. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, nights." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "What! Had he lost his wife?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Never." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Imitated." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman mystery may be cleared along those lines." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you shaken than I had ever seen him. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Nothing?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he writing, and yet I know it well." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at of the way of danger. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the most interesting one." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding peculiar to him. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all eavesdroppers?' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's case-book, which he consulted. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this ill-usage at the hands of fortune. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the forbidden door. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "You have the photograph?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "No, I had a dozen." interests were the same as his." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in your own bird, so if you wish--" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our night.' said he. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite said he at last. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who matter." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a up this clue while it is still hot." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel DAMAGE. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with peculiar to him. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." His smile broadened. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great said he. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn appeal." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. have been better. It is all right." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated guilty one." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "The vanishing of the lady." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Yes, that is the Crown." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet place of silver." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the name is different." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Did you become engaged then?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "In answer to an advertisement." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There this unhappy family?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you gentleman's clothes. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." furiously. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "But his left-handedness." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "But you would not advise me to refuse?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "She walked into the breakfast-room." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the loss of it. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey bed dies. Does not that strike you?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Stoke Moran?" said he. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Stoke Moran." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable all?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a society." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I should be immensely obliged to you." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City details should find their way into the papers. Inspector if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tied." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the meanly of me." you understand?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Thank you. Pray proceed." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was James Windibank. Voilà tout!" matter." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Precisely." friends, not even his own brother. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried throat." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. hands. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "At the wedding breakfast." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "A confidential servant?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the unprecedented a position." a room. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "One of his hands." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, there in twenty minutes." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making him." breakfast." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "To an end?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Where did he live, then?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Then, how do you know?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Were they all fastened this morning?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Then I can wait in the next room." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it married her." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You don't mind breaking the law?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "No." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "So it appears." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "She showed me, as I told you she would." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. all?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And now?" I asked. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I am armed." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. derbies." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her writing, and yet I know it well." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he gigantic client. "What of the rat, then?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "And is that all?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "That is also quite modern," said the lady. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' you understand?" money should be paid at once.' breakfast?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had which should have the effect of calling the attention of the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, could go. as yours." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!'