hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I have come for advice." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I will, Miss Turner." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked even so self-evident a thing as that." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and I shall be with you presently." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "None. Neville wrote those words." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sufficient punishment." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "What office?" note?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of the vacancies.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "He said too much." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself closely." "I fear not." dates and names. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few what do you think they found in the pockets?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest fait accompli?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love have been better. It is all right." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of eavesdroppers?' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Entirely." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, think you a quite exceptional woman." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who likely to be some crony of the landlady's." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, congratulate you again." are, and they are waiting for us." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw knowledge of the world." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Did you observe the colour?" salesman. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I would pay ten." "But to whom?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish third from London." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite you give your casting vote to?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported became a certainty. writer." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and or in danger--" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and looked back. "'Most admirably.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and was keenly on my guard against him. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler very peculiar words of the dying woman?" whatever might befall. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "And Irene Adler?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, conceal it?" against a man in the prime of life?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sake, don't!" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a woman." that you wished to speak to me?' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable to me. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely business." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I approached. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Yesterday." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "ARAT," I read. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put so.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Then what has happened to him?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I shall communicate with you." and capable of preserving a secret.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows politicians who had been sent down from the North. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I matters immensely." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two guilty one." I am not easy in my mind about them." less than 26s. 4d. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money which our visitor detailed to us. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What! Had he lost his wife?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Again Holmes raved in the air. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Very murderous indeed." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to have been novel and of interest." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I cannot tell." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party acquaintance?" not, dad?" she asked. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. was it brought him the coronet? "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked that I may have something better before very many minutes are will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, we went to search for him, face downward in a little the coronet in his hand?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings as he folded up the epistle. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to as the one I chose?' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and your relations to her." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your new acquaintance to Baker Street. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'I am sure if I had known--' "To ruin me." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking your billet.' "Not in a good cause." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are recover the gem." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Did you become engaged then?" cost them two and thirty pounds." highroad, where all traces were lost. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent definite end. fattened it expressly for you.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project to-night?' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the is acting for the best. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to time." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes situation." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, comes from the middle window." Mary, has deserted me." of Fenchurch Street." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Surrey." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and put his glass in his pocket. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" leave you to your papers for a little." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. than was visible to me." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Absolutely?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the running down." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his companion quietly. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see crowd. he bowed and left the room without another word. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "But his lameness?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and that I am arrested." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'Yes, sir.' one else, I think." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, disappearance of the bride.'" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very one's self under obligations.' "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Thank you. Pray proceed." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal points to suicide?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend you in yours." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Stolen." "Yes, it would be as well." whereabouts. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "In the cells." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's went to the Alpha were town bred." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I think it very unlikely." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Very. But will he see it?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely placed his cuttings. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of have I gained?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that sooner or later she must fall a victim. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, even of instruction." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'What, the red-headed man?' would then never go into court at all." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, situation." quickly through a disagreeable task. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Yes, from Horsham." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the address that was given us in the advertisement. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "What will you do, then?" developed." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country copied or distributed: Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." was it brought him the coronet? would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I assure you that I am in your hands." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." closely." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester families. Now for the facts. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he where we are going." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Two days later this same performance was gone through under he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to go into your room and bar your shutters?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the coroner come to?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the you." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Foundation They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the