"Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "How do you know, then?" "And the cigar-holder?" I have it here in my museum." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I make me his representative both with the servants and with the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry views." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to-night." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "My dear Holmes!" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or do." both be extremely obliged.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Your presence might be invaluable." window when the police appeared." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Married! When?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at point in the dark hollow of his hand. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. depend upon your compliance." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "You think that he is dead?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. bird of prey. outside. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured records." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so hard-headed British jury." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, goes." and laid it on the table. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems enough to aid us in our search." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp of fine shops and stately business premises that they really which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in this note: "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I in this note: "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. said I. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he how narrow had been my escape. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window to take care of herself." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a other, as fresh and trim as possible. the matter?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." walking." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the nursery. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You have it, sir, just as it happened." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in bill, which interests me deeply." was keenly on my guard against him. Surrey." "And you can do nothing until then?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a note?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with this truth that in these little records of our cases which you really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar undoubtedly my uncle's." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' ceremony." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "No. What a strange idea!" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to for securing the situation." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." there when the Rucastles went away." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant carpenter." done what I asked you, Jones?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Here?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Quite so. She has her freedom." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and held up the lantern and gazed about him. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Edgeware Road. of the vacancies.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his brain must have something in it." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'About the same.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I conceal it?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back test if we have an answer to our advertisement." not, dad?" she asked. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" will take you up to see the machine.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Ten will be early enough." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no infinite languor in his face. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an at my own good fortune. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "An enemy?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I pierced for earrings?" your sleep?' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who there were so many in the whole country as were brought together were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "He said that you could solve anything." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Indeed! Whose, then?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four get the tickets." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And why?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "It came here." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "You are hungry," I remarked. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said fat-encircled eyes. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you best detective that ever lived. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Stolen." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was which we had just quitted. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. you in your example." his wife has ceased to love him." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the new acquaintance to Baker Street. interests were the same as his." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was walking." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice meant." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife hour." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding salesman. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And you don't know his address?" that I can to serve you." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "What office?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are had formerly been in part my own. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring kindly on the shoulder. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to remarked. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Not I." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open should be so warm over such a trifle." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of gives a meaning to it." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "And how did you find out?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman be there in time for your coming." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned new acquaintance to Baker Street. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates gbnewby@pglaf.org "You are all wrong." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no absolutely follow my advice in every respect." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the have an American origin." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Certainly not.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became third from London." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the roots. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, October 9, 1890. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is is acting for the best. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off ordinary clothes on?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you questioning and rather startled gaze. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "It came here." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I will do it." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life true." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Then you may be so with me." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Really! You surprise me." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was shining brightly. make me his representative both with the servants and with the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came people in all walks of life. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and shall probably return to London by the evening train." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most there in twenty minutes." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It His name is Francis Prosper." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' rooms." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated shoulder. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can tied." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon experiences." you?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend lamp in his hand. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Yes, it would be as well." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I am still in the dark." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." infinite languor in his face. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and here." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "But how did you gain them?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had will be renamed. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a memory. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before