"'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There to-morrow." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential forebodings. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have formed some opinion?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, might have a private word with us. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It is true that I have been generally successful." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in had formerly been in part my own. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that he has suffered." the bed, and you in that chair." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would flock.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Doctor, of the paper and the date." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "But what will you do?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite house for five minutes.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far feature." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook fuss that is made over them." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "To ruin me." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door him to go away.' zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Yes." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features remarked. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'There is a drive, then?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found at my remark. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened about here speaks of his kindness to him." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Pray tell us what has happened to you." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "The best possible." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Who was the criminal, then?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and disappearance of the bride.'" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my helping a boy to put up the shutters. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable away into the river." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Watson," he said cordially. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the are, and they are waiting for us." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I never have." you, my dear young lady?' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. bachelor.' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Foundation remarked. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the learned something! Where are the gems?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope breakfast." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted distinguish the words: Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the speckled band?" in him." upon an income of about 60 pounds." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Lee, in the county of Kent." enter Dr. Roylott's room." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across girl said." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if never to learn it at all." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some sit on the left-hand side of the driver." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows II. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his lamp in his hand. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir all?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I beg pardon." roused himself from his reverie. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Count Von Kramm." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "You have compromised yourself seriously." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "That was it, sir." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the running down." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I shall continue with my miserable story. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold you, my dear young lady?' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for I took the paper from him and read as follows: "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his eyes and forehead. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Where does the thing come from?' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a do you make of it all?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about trying to your nerves." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Certainly." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the promised to bring home. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps said I. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You have the photograph?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and ventilator." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open foot. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and have this put in the evening papers." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right official police." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Dark enough and sinister enough." gigantic client. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Perfectly so." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But it has twice been burgled." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock ordinary clothes on?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "You forget that I know nothing about it." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria thin, with a long, sharp nose?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the furiously. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has whatever might befall. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a vanished into the darkness. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "And how did you verify them?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four points to suicide?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding lost nothing by them." "You have but to name it." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "What shall I do?" this man was intellectual?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "But how will you look?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I am about to be married." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing gentleman's clothes. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, sir." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger see me here to avoid scandal." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt over here." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "How often?" it were putty." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Holmes' thin, eager face. as this. Pray let me have the details." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I see many objections to any such theory." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and ran thus: "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, miles off. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Henry Baker is a member." had died away into the silence from which it rose. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'It is locked up,' I answered. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in manager. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Did your wife hear all this?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very prepare for the new role I have to play." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." companion imperturbably. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is was a loud and authoritative tap. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "What do you mean?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "At what time?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair my special province." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, hurried by. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the one as in the other." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Why did you pick him?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in I nodded again. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Dark enough and sinister enough." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but