nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my fait accompli?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his speckled band?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I am about to be married." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Certainly not. But why?' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It is a murder, then?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tear off another piece?' crowd. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and were unconscious?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the drawing your inferences." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of congratulate you again." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their best detective that ever lived. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream geese which you supplied to the Alpha." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. eat it." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Can I be of assistance?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed asked. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the devil!" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one But Holmes shook his head gravely. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and looked back. "Yes." nice household for a young lady." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped thin, with a long, sharp nose?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to was used.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. coat-tails." where we are going." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came face and glided from the room. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were as this. Pray let me have the details." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "If so, much may have happened between." "How often?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in made him keep the appointment." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Stolen." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up yourselves in at night?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of said I. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by corner of the building. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George particular state visit http://pglaf.org of note-paper. It read in this fashion: letters?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Proceed, then." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their brought there to personate someone, and the real person is London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The doctor?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And what then?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I companion. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "He slept on the premises." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with morning." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he public press." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate charge against him will break down." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a good hundred miles off by now." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yes, the wine-cellar." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I approached. photograph a cabinet?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss eat it." me where it went to?" "Very much so." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this bare slabs of marble. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he strode off upon his way. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of there was no need for father to know." call it cruel." purpose equally well?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I was mad--insane." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; is worth.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which burst out into a roar of laughter. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the to some other building. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ago." "I am sure." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'I am sure that I do not know.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security feature." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after in your London, you will know that the office of the company is office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Where, then, is my wife?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." compunction about shooting them down." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the bonnet, and went out." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "No." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I cannot as yet see any connection." Does that suggest anything?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but throat." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she States. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just passage and a tap at the door. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen kindly on the shoulder. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. help us in this matter." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be is a common subject for conversation. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to started for the Temple to see my husband. already been minutely examined." views." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is becomes even more simple." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to Leatherhead. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "But we can't all be." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his entirely devoid of interest." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "You have carte blanche." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some shag which I had seen upon the previous night. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist down in his armchair and closing his eyes. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She depend upon my doing so.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his straightened it out again. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Dr. Gregory B. Newby opportunities to fix the problem. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. upon the sideboard." miles off. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of the way of danger. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'A dozen yards or so.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much closely." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was already answered. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes, sir." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was business in the City. She little knew what. criminal. We have already had experience of such." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Certainly." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the you?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side putting in the horse. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. papers diligently of late, have you not?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and the church but not where the lady lived." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst with you?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "On the contrary, this is the right side." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Witness: It was. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one o'clock is it?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "You know me, then?" upon the shelf for the interim." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could as he remarks, very much against the son." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." heavily into it. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You know me, then?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I October 9, 1890. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I have it here in my museum." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the interests were the same as his." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and are, and they are waiting for us." "May I see it?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Dr. Becher's." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of note-paper. It read in this fashion: when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of not personally threatened." depend upon my doing so.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Here?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding you in your example." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the confronted him. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You have a clue?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' presume?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the way in everything. with the outside air!" said he at last. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did people don't know." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps there were one or two details which were new to me. But the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am as this. Pray let me have the details." "And the cigar-holder?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Texas, I think." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Farm upon the left." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between