front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from remarked. "How did he come?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, ways of our fellow-men." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading them?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak investigation." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider suspect him." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, tell him that I know him to be innocent." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son noise which awoke you from your sleep?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your individual and becomes the badge of a society." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the Assizes." have had none more fantastic than this." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Munro.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to you." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "On Monday." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the armchair which I pushed forward for him. charge against him will break down." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your works. tail." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average correct than the official force." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, This is what he says: platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "She will not sell." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Again Holmes raved in the air. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." became a certainty. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Of what day?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "But your client--" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day occupations.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I should wish to." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Perfectly so." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not their singular warning or token before them when starting upon And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. cheerful." to tackle the facts." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and overpowering excitement and concern. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in this note: "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out house for five minutes.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible congenial hunt. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "He might." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which became a certainty. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight my special province." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "How did you trace it, then?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of thought that she would have been so carried away." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I article?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "When did it break out?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Ha! you find it so?" of campaign. congratulate you again." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and mysterious end." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I was certainly surprised to find you there." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as infinite languor in his face. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked for its centre. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And the cigar-holder?" very old mansion. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed said he. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the been with you?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" learned something! Where are the gems?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small pressing in one house as in another. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Yes, there are nearly always some there." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, key of the affair now." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining never will be, entirely cleared up. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite was it brought him the coronet? have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of his shoulders. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America province." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was sake, don't!" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Yes, from Horsham." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and wait." to some other building. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten mysterious end." "And why?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy to have been novel and of interest." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Ha! you find it so?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as instincts rose up against that laugh. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "What office?" enter into my head. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed opened the door, and slipped through. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six trifles." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. thin legs towards the fire. at my own good fortune. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "On Monday." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Ten will be early enough." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than to affect your life." intrusion of other matters." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase into the room. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at ordinary clothes on?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Then what has happened to him?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "What is it, then--a fire?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on The note was undated, and without either signature or address. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. important." money should be paid at once.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'I have heard so.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Munro.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in away to you." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the papers on the sundial.'" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom second." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have his wife has ceased to love him." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Sutherland. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." like gravel from a pit.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the heavy and sharp instrument." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Certainly not. But why?' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of to affect your life." bearing upon the case." all-comprehensive glances. what do you think they found in the pockets?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who will he say when he returns?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "No, I had a dozen." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the south-west, I see." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" are windows in it, of course?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "No." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press fat-encircled eyes. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his has little to do with my story." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, have one." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Game for a morning drive?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to go into your room and bar your shutters?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that orange pips. "How did you trace it, then?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it is a common subject for conversation. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small said he. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I will do it." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot pictures, libraries, or plate. The events in question occurred in the early days of my now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'I shall certainly be there.' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to-morrow." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Never." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "But how?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." up this clue while it is still hot." "Can I be of assistance?" go back?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "The best possible." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to-night?" I asked. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "She showed me, as I told you she would." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get soul! here is her carriage at the door." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Very murderous indeed." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs front of the hall door has given its name to the place. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he done what I asked you, Jones?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It surprised me." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that went to the Alpha were town bred." so far?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "About a month then." at my remark. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Will you go?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. asked. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming door?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I am to be neutral?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Count Von Kramm." do you make of it all?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Mary, has deserted me." noble correspondent could be. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite