same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "And you can do nothing until then?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part chamber." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and not, dad?" she asked. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "But not more so than I to find you." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I approached. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which is now desirous of getting those letters back." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father knowledge of the world." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time paper in the air. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that certainly do as you advise." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was morning." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "She told me to ask you." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would stood on the top of it. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Oh, no.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only followed. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be narrative." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "ARAT," I read. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the running down." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in than was visible to me." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been pound a week." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Here?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "The King of Scandinavia." friends, not even his own brother. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the station." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Yes." London for the present?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "It is no ordinary one." cup of tea. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and little trying to do so much typewriting?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It is half-past ten now." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at once, for I have only half an hour." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very delighted to hear it," he said. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; call the police, let the police find what they can.' conceal it?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "In answer to an advertisement." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. next day. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "How did that help you?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in digesting their breakfasts at home." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. have I gained?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Yes, only one." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "You have carte blanche." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over orange pips. "A confidential servant?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And now?" He raised his hand. south, for the country is more deserted there." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up papers diligently of late, have you not?" client, rising. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate appeared upon the scene." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "You are hungry," I remarked. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "And now?" I asked. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Yes, but only for you and me." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hardly wander." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Gutenberg-tm License. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I am all attention, madam." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands three of the beryls in it, was missing. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter should be so warm over such a trifle." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks crime. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we secret." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for crackling voice. hair?' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds note?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Yes." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "None." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, lamp. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Precisely so. But how--" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "But the mystery?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "That is not always so easy." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on lamp. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face trying to your nerves." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and prosperity to your house. Good-night." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "And I say east," said my patient. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that you saw all that I did." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you answer." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel nothing with him." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Did you become engaged then?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been little trying to do so much typewriting?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I secret." was feeling which was the fattest.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I it." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and inquire as to the address." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the all that?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Stolen." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, brain must have something in it." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I will do it." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "To the police?" fuss that is made over them." to that open window." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "And for present expenses?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I cannot say that I have." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two your bag." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I once more. guilty one." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she again, where I was soon asleep. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Certainly,' I answered. occurred." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one interested in these little problems, and since you are good "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I shall be delighted." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to events, Mr. Windibank!" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may rose-bushes. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Never,' said I. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the as he folded up the epistle. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my upon the shelf for the interim." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Will you go?" "Just look it up, then." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us my little problems." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "What shall I do?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me I. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out disappearance of the bride.'"