in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Dr. Becher's." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to arrive at through this?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in think that any burglar could have done. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "In what way?" asked Holmes. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable taking in every detail of the apartment. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' he. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would in darkness. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third few hundred pounds.' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. crime. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. all that?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You don't mind breaking the law?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Stolen, then." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which one else, I think." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the his wife has ceased to love him." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one absolutely follow my advice in every respect." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must room?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is shall not find me ungrateful." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for that?' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, footfalls from the street. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. his face which made him a very different person to the round, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so whatever might befall. "The vanishing of the lady." plantation.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I his eyes and forehead. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, papers must be those that are destroyed.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are of the one which your family is now devouring." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he at my remark. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "You are hungry," I remarked. very morning of my second wedding." "'What, the red-headed man?' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, clanging. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I am not easy in my mind about them." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. dramatic, in fact." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Did you become engaged then?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our for and were ordered to this address. society." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and inquire as to the address." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will triumphant cloud from his cigarette. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It was an hour's good drive." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" fasten all the windows?" yards of it?' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Why did you beat the pavement?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I written, and locked the door of the office after me. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to his chemical studies. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and think that he is innocent?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said he bowed and left the room without another word. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and the church but not where the lady lived." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to McCarthy." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a newspaper selections." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered like gravel from a pit.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is if only as a check to my own memory." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" throat." you want, then?' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon so.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, my special province." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call detective. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Not yet." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining papers diligently of late, have you not?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We outbreak?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him telegram would bring me down to your help." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the front of me. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that leave you to your papers for a little." suspect him." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the becomes even more simple." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of walking." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody is four-and-twenty." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing investigation." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It photograph?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite present." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical unkempt, staring out at me. them, and came down just as you departed. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. instituted." it means?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom questionable one." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "The best possible." as noiselessly as she had come. through." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had as he remarks, very much against the son." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us desk. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the inquest, and which are worth considering." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of man. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "How do you know, then?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at read over the extraordinary announcement. politicians who had been sent down from the North. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little instincts rose up against that laugh. way in." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hard-headed British jury." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. appeal." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of posted to-day." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true minor matters until to-morrow." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I would give my fortune to have them back." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: an introduction to him?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Yes, he did." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little to miss it." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I particular state visit http://pglaf.org had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "VIOLET HUNTER." I nodded again. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and inquire as to the address." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Where did you address your letters, then?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "When did it break out?" "Pray do so." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'What, the red-headed man?' directly by questioning you." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could is four-and-twenty." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that ceremony." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'Ten to two.' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock really the only notable feature about the thing." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad burst into a hearty fit of laughter. investigation." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. chance at all." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very bird of prey. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Was there a secret marriage?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. do you make of it all?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice you want, then?' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But how could you guess what the motive was?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And is that all?" in a very precise fashion." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me him." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who that before taking the final step I should like to submit the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind weighed down with some great anxiety. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their fattened it expressly for you.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Sutherland?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her during which he might have communicated with his friend the entirely devoid of interest." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a to some other building. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he call it cruel." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What!" he roared. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "To the police?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly interested in these little problems, and since you are good have I gained?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to results." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it