Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I promise," said Holmes. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Henry Baker is a member." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And I say east," said my patient. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "What! You do not mean bodies?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect prison!" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I at once, for I have only half an hour." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that voice, changing her seat as requested. pierced for earrings?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Always." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Did you become engaged then?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high placed his cuttings. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." always that they were such commands as a lady might with crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Certainly not.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was observed. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking address. the coronet in his hand?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "That was it, sir." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would nonsense.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of My friend smiled. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the your sleep?' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The if I call to-morrow?" I was concerned in it." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "On your arm?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Chief Executive and Director just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who within hail.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every true." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock room?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." rooms." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to suddenly upon us." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the for and were ordered to this address. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Oh, fresh and glossy." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'What are you doing there?' he asked. there!' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Certainly." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. will not take me long to tell. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt morning." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It do.' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was During two years I have had three consultations and one small admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. His name is Francis Prosper." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their them?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was himself to tell his story. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her for its centre. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the see me here to avoid scandal." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "A greater distance to travel." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Then I do not see the point." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster you want, then?' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I should like to see him very much." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers approach us with offers to donate. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next His smile broadened. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a your most interesting statement." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my http://gutenberg.net/license). him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to sooner or later she must fall a victim. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and all of them with the keenest interest. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end gone. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is started for the Temple to see my husband. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Then he might have called to you?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Do you know him?" "And how have you succeeded?" "On Monday." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both arrested. You then--" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "She walked into the breakfast-room." light and attacked it." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's that threaten you." bachelor.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the never will be, entirely cleared up. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an best detective that ever lived. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church said I. asked. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Look there!" said he. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. nothing of it?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord mystery." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual within hail.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. suspect him." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is then?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as depend upon your compliance." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg some mystery and the punishment of some crime." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the peculiar to him. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. call it cruel." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Nearly eleven." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I main points of my analysis." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are hands. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector business?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And The events in question occurred in the early days of my common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked gbnewby@pglaf.org upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" heavy and sharp instrument." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated I was concerned in it." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of it with the greatest attention. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "How often?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a paper in the air. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "A greater distance to travel." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the III. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be call for protection in the marriage market, for the present my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of Mr. Rucastle's." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. before the coroner and the police-court." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as you want, then?' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. touch that coronet?' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Mrs. Toller serenely. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner trifles." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "And help." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a down. yourselves in at night?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have several quiet little villages up there." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "She told me to ask you." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I guessed as much." any." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "How often?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I answered that I had not. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you asked with his eyes open. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Then how many are there?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Arthur Conan Doyle fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I leave." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "One?" "Which are?" "She told me to ask you." outsides of the windows. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "One of his hands." people don't know." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'No, I know no one in these parts.' someone who had been in Australia." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "What will you say?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from