enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. nice household for a young lady." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I answered that I had not. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set introspective fashion. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was business matters.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Dr. Gregory B. Newby Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." such attractions and accomplishments?' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I was afraid that you were engaged." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions overpowering excitement and concern. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Bought." 11:15.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "That is possible." sake, don't!" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of which we had just quitted. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "On Monday." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating did not hear it also.' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, roused himself from his reverie. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sufficient punishment." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I cannot imagine." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Where is it, then?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. individual and becomes the badge of a society." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "And what then?" society." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I cannot say that I have." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "They are typewritten," I remarked. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so exactly what you advise." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You saw the ventilator, too?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" read over the extraordinary announcement. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. cigars in the box." "No good news?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in cup of tea. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you thought that she would have been so carried away." business." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "And I to find an enemy." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Dirty?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "The rest you will leave in our hands." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him answered with a sidelong glance. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect matter over." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and the colonel ushered me in. "'There is a drive, then?' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. drove away. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the so-precious time, but come!' is a common subject for conversation. held up the lantern and gazed about him. there when the Rucastles went away." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No, but the enclosure is." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But your client--" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my were wasted." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "No." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it weighed down with some great anxiety. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor throat." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Clair, of Lee." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I am sure." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do emerged. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. man. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though article?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it right.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Heh?' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me do.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco your troubles." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., posted to-day." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you returned to France?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year important." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open appeal." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "What will you do, then?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and have this put in the evening papers." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their already referred to. purpose equally well?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. one else, I think." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his four million human beings all jostling each other within the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My them?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely bare slabs of marble. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no tapping his fingers upon the table. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "But who is he?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in becomes even more simple." constraint." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the four million human beings all jostling each other within the ordinary clothes on?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a speckled band?" fishes. your troubles." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was sufficient punishment." was shining brightly. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just conceal it?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I developed." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Come in!" said he. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right you?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not upon the sideboard." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock room?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you about here speaks of his kindness to him." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'Never.' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Precisely." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching go--none." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and put his glass in his pocket. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with murdered man." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "That is not always so easy." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Surrey." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "If I can be of use." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the pierced for earrings?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch peculiar to him. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "But how?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and that you wished to speak to me?' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. digesting their breakfasts at home." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend think that he is innocent?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of key of the affair now." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the morning and make my own way in the world.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You think that he is dead?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand records." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the What do you deduce from it?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "How do you know, then?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "The murder was done with it." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a what is your own theory as to what took place?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Why, what do you mean?" my little problems." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Upon what point?" posted to-day." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "One?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security own family. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "But it has twice been burgled." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate before the coroner and the police-court." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged