Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile and inquire as to the address." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage danger is over." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place wedding?" coat-tails." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man wife's character?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young figure." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the himself in a perplexing position. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Project Gutenberg-tm works. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Not I." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much amused." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so if she died from some sudden fright." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing disappearance of the bride.'" "Deserted you?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two details." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. jewels which you have stolen?' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a or in danger--" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his what I may call a really hard day's work." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that eat it." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the colour had been driven from his face. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Your French gold?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Then I do not see the point." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought over here." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a miles off. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Where did he live, then?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now attention." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I have come for advice." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his everything which you would wish to know." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Not him." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and voice, changing her seat as requested. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that you saw all that I did." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that foot. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course house for five minutes.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely ago." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I cannot tell." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and files of the old papers, following the future career of every stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "How did you trace it, then?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is use an arc-and-compass breastpin." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home outbreak?" telegram would bring me down to your help." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and prosperity to your house. Good-night." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all it means?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a weapon." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way call for protection in the marriage market, for the present most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view sit on the left-hand side of the driver." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of you." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "None. Neville wrote those words." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from ago." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "My Mary? Impossible!" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the from the brougham. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of the one which your family is now devouring." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 'I should be able to look after that for you.' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The King stared at him in amazement. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Yes, only one." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Yes, all." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they off." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Then, how do you know?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. over part of the map. "What do you read?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a indiscretion." http://gutenberg.net/license). "At the wedding breakfast." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then good-night and bustled off upon her way. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. was already answered. tied." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, States. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And it is--" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Which dealer's?' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, as the one I chose?' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "He disappeared so suddenly." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'I have already given you my word.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "But you would not advise me to refuse?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin man. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could success. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean showing my impatience. deduce something from that?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to train.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences most important business. It is probable that he will be away all weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Oh, yes, easily." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Certainly not. But why?' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I leave." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I have solved it." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "But how could you guess what the motive was?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Yes, sir.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "So it appears." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman bird of prey. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is there in twenty minutes." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet other means.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was legal crime." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Certainly,' I answered. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, death." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out weapon." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. pressing in one house as in another. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits went to the Alpha were town bred." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Why serious?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor few hundred pounds.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of friend's singular character. dramatic, in fact." round with crates and massive boxes. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And what did you see?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "How do you know, then?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was once more to my work. key turn in the lock." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see how narrow had been my escape. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our formed some opinion?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It was an hour's good drive." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," in the hope of finding them." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the you in your example." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been wanted for ourselves." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of ready to-morrow?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction his cane at the bell-pull. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but ceremony." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of this gang." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that threaten you." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Where did he live, then?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, had formerly been in part my own. client, rising. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I was afraid that you were engaged." tapping his fingers upon the table. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Of Friday, June 19th." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope locked. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "It missed him, then?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Oh, no.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, pressing in one house as in another. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have peculiar to him. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and wait." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You are all wrong." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Yes.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn present strange and interesting features that it is no easy from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in bled considerably." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "What steps will you take?" I asked. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes' room. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. light and attacked it." "No." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "He might." "Have you her photograph?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of unprecedented a position."