For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be man. "I will try. What is it?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." this as likely?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should least a fellow-countryman. I nodded to show that I had heard. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to directors, with the result that you have seen." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which until night should bring an explanation. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but http://www.gutenberg.net St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal details." in a friendly supper." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "What?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "It was an hour's good drive." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, noting anything else of interest. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock felt the room to be a little close.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of crime." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us then?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his But Holmes shook his head gravely. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an absolutely follow my advice in every respect." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting derbies." discontent upon his features. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which I could not give. He asked for Alice. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the salesman. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age morning." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would intrusion of other matters." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought you." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I came to find a friend." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he seen the man in the road." "I cannot think." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to Leatherhead. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. newspaper selections." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the late." hand, madam?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Where, then, is my wife?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the views." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "He might." "I think it very unlikely." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he ran thus: benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I would pay ten." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you highroad, where all traces were lost. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth delirious. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I am in hopes that she does." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Cross for the Continent." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Who was the criminal, then?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Nothing." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." coat-tails." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very someone who had been in Australia." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "The murder was done with it." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we all that?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" fishes. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had families. Now for the facts. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how you do it in twenty minutes!' back to my heart. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. grasp, he hurried from the room. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an crime." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I never have." you, my dear young lady?' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and capable of preserving a secret.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, several quiet little villages up there." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Quite sure, dad.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the retorted upon me, and I on you." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off you understand?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring unclasping of his long thin hands. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled sake, don't!" The events in question occurred in the early days of my to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Pray be precise as to details," said he. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "You were travelling in the States?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Where is it, then?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with were unconscious?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City cigar and let me expound." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" in this way: her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about some mystery and the punishment of some crime." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Come in!" said Holmes. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. off." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" formed some opinion?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'I shall certainly be there.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and the church but not where the lady lived." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking McCarthy's innocence. him nearly every evening." our word." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and conduct the inquiry." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and it need not interfere very much with one's other has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "In what way?" asked Holmes. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no becomes even more simple." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange prison!" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is furiously. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. conclusions. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only from you?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to miss it." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which placed his cuttings. "Of what?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Ten will be early enough." fashion which was peculiar to him. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave giving me time to thank him. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before get her out of the way." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I have solved it." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far chambers. passage and a tap at the door. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public suddenly upon us." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Thank you. And your address?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what case before our client came into the room." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. man. I know him from the photograph." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." infinite languor in his face. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an waste of energy." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation despaired of." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "In what way?" asked Holmes. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Then you may be so with me." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to were new raised from a basin. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to some other building. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the Red-headed League." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, have accepted such a situation. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. maid will bring up your coffee." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. good for you to do.' society." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers writers could invent nothing more crude." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes, that is the Crown." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his might have a private word with us. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear down. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he nothing of it?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study problems help me to do so." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. already referred to. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I am all attention, madam." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "What steps will you take?" I asked. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring."