distance from the station, and there we found the young lady course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and gone before you can get him to hospital." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be hard-headed British jury." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "A call for help, you thought?" was keenly on my guard against him. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Get out!" said he. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Well." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from do.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a here." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California presented which may be striking and bizarre without being 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows like gravel from a pit.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was used.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect new duties?' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that he died? hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know have not had my rubber." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell for the market.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always investigation." directly by questioning you." "I am still in the dark." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Who was the criminal, then?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The King of Scandinavia." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "So it appears." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "ARAT," I read. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Pope's Court. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. my special province." "What!" he roared. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'As governess?' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. than to us. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong to-night?' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with from you?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I shall be delighted." forbidden door. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Precisely so. But how--" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little at a side door. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I never have." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done events than those which have happened in my own family." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Yes." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Ten to two.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Why did you beat the pavement?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her The King stared at him in amazement. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I beg pardon." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric introspective fashion. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might this Miss Turner." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a in his power. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day again before evening." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "My last client of the sort was a king." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout matter." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You think so, too?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "No, I had a dozen." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that invisible to me," I remarked. "And what did you learn from him?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "A thing like a cleaver," said he. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes, the wine-cellar." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to placed his cuttings. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered past. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real experiences." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel correct than the official force." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "The King of Scandinavia." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there success. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I already been minutely examined." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the 11:15.' breakfast?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of Fenchurch Street." in him." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I cheerful." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the crime. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Certainly." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Thank you. And your address?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body without success. At last the little money which I had saved began for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "On Monday." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' to tell." skylight. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. business." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to tackle the facts." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward not use it unless it is absolutely needed." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my few hundred pounds.' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I see many objections to any such theory." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Sholtos." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "May I see it?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with way in." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. obstinate." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone posted to-day." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the night.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. nonsense.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this front of me. did not hear it also.' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began copied or distributed: chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of to talk it over. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one this truth that in these little records of our cases which you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "You horrify me." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Tired-looking or fresh?" secret." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "And is that all?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your bachelor.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few figure." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Murdered?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "And that is--" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the thirty. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "ARAT," I read. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "A confidential servant?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? again before evening." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like least a fellow-countryman. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving father's place of business?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their front of me. to-night." habit of advancing money.' evidence," I remarked. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hereditary King of Bohemia." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Certainly." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said guilty parties." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which correct than the official force." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, families. Now for the facts. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And Irene Adler?" look dissatisfied." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the coronet in his hands?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you best detective that ever lived. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With chill to my heart. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and this man was intellectual?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "What then?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "How did he come?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, light and attacked it." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "What of the rat, then?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him three fields round his house, and there he would take his to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is following enigmatical notices: very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, held up the lantern and gazed about him. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Yes, only one." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall intimate personal affairs in this public manner." to-night?" I asked. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Then I do not see the point." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other