Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in you give your casting vote to?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If do you make of it all?" Count Von Kramm." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "It is solved." "He slept on the premises." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Then he might have called to you?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the conceal it?" the coronet at all injured?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Stolen." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." gone. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin morning." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned His smile broadened. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has has little to do with my story." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It is his hat." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was keenly on my guard against him. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Dr. Gregory B. Newby as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'Very good.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly burst into a hearty fit of laughter. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Won't it ring?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It surprised me." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, correct than the official force." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words nonsense.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the nursery. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I think that I could be of assistance to you." compunction about shooting them down." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "My photograph." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And now?" He raised his hand. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth thought that she would have been so carried away." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera use an arc-and-compass breastpin." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that so.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client characteristics, but those are the more obvious." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it place no limit on the sum I may draw." works. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that I can to serve you." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Always." not fit the lock." the one as in the other." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I will get her to show me." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "The gentleman I describe." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Does that suggest anything?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "By train from Waterloo." done what I asked you, Jones?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and your relations to her." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "The Coroner: What do you mean? remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Ample." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, south, for the country is more deserted there." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, look upon these things in a different way." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over bird of prey. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might again on its way. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. at home. is now desirous of getting those letters back." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may recall any case within my experience which looked at the first exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. room?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Street. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very this as likely?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "What! You do not mean bodies?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you do it in twenty minutes!' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that became a certainty. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "By no means." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Clair, of Lee." had this final quarrel? "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while such person." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that that I can to serve you." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Clair, of Lee." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." it means?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You your most interesting statement." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Do you go out much in society?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first I shall communicate with you." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate himself in a perplexing position. train.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs suddenly upon us." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to some other building. asked with his eyes open. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the nonsense.' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you." bled considerably." strength." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some you understand?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his second window is the one that I jumped from." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that joking. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "You have the photograph?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness against a man in the prime of life?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And what did you learn from him?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us pity, because in other respects you would really have done very mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain all that?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." criminal. We have already had experience of such." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Nothing?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done father's place of business?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "No, my brougham is waiting." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment not use it unless it is absolutely needed." quite distinctive." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a served to weaken the effect. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes. He waved his hands." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of thought that she would have been so carried away." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the this Miss Turner." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You have a clue?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom present." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Oh, yes, easily." Countess of Morcar's?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "We were both in the photograph." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to change my dress. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "No, but the enclosure is." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, entirely devoid of interest." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if ways of our fellow-men." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her served to weaken the effect. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." obstinate." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building national property. I was determined that the law should have its his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, golden eyeglasses. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no them present such singular features as the strange train of and the church but not where the lady lived." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you fluttered off among the others. you." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is in my life." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. forehead. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'In my own bureau.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of friend's singular character. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, matter." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged dead, shall be safe with us."