"Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I all-comprehensive glances. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than approach us with offers to donate. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to infinite languor in his face. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that will he say when he returns?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a you." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at himself in a perplexing position. and looked back. became a certainty. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat hereditary King of Bohemia." felt the room to be a little close.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger some terrible trap for her." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door of them has the shutters up.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It is possible." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about not interfere, come what may. You understand?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the salesman. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Will you bet, then?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back cigars in their mouths. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." weary and pale-looking. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is as noiselessly as she had come. "I am to be neutral?" developed." families. Now for the facts. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too some city in a dream. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. our word." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "That is it on the dressing-table." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to his knees, staring into the fire. "It is true that I have been generally successful." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive appeared upon the scene." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "And how did you verify them?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Yes, sir." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "What!" he roared. observed. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "The Cedars?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no answered with a sidelong glance. "You did not overhear what they said?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first paper in the air. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the answer." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very morning." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Not at all. I only doubt--' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my awaited us upon the table. promised to bring home. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of spare." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, from you?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes my friend's incisive reasoning. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and your relations to her." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I beg pardon." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of together. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the against a man in the prime of life?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable late!' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "No." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, had this final quarrel? Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which in his power. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his knees, staring into the fire. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." past. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' go--none." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that tell me that you intended to go into harness." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend your most interesting statement." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Yes, sir.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had weary and pale-looking. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Certainly." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing right! Sit down and let us talk it over." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And how in the world did you find them?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at respectable self." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I was afraid that you were engaged." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became pound a week." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Which surely he restored to their owner?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's His name is Francis Prosper." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his learned something! Where are the gems?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who question," said Holmes, smiling. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." this man was intellectual?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these in his power. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was business matters.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a reach." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'Entirely.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "And I say east," said my patient. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant she used." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near here and I will read it to you: them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away key turn in the lock." them?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pound a week." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Was there a secret marriage?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing my secret was safe in his possession. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary already referred to. "And what did you learn from him?" them, and came down just as you departed. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his copied or distributed: "You did not overhear what they said?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm at my own good fortune. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "The Cedars?" "But we can't all be." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I do." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "To ruin me." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? speckled band?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "He said that you could solve anything." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a husband's writing, madam." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our fled together." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "And did you observe any change in her then?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the salesman. fishes. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "What?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. ago." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your where Mr. Fordham shows you.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Did he not advertise?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I bedroom door." License. You must require such a user to return or the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and bled considerably." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. opportunities to fix the problem. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, think that he is innocent?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the directors, with the result that you have seen." my secret was safe in his possession. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "How often?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I shall be delighted." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Yes, it was gone.' formed some opinion?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had died away into the silence from which it rose. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" to his chemical studies. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a sound at heart." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "How are you getting on?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "But you were on a friendly footing?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Murdered?" "I think that it is very probable." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Never,' said I. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were her also." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the note?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of Mr. Rucastle's." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering at home. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My