has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key was a lad." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I goes." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. very old mansion. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Has he come with you to-night?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Clair, of Lee." to-morrow." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as fact, we may call it conclusive." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little records." down. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. that?' investigation." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I leave." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Doctor, of the paper and the date." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his acted in my house last night?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been your Highness to the police-station?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' words came to my lips. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "But his left-handedness." "Did your wife hear all this?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'It is locked up,' I answered. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "What I expected to see." pound a week." must compliment you." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, I have one waiting." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me individual and becomes the badge of a society." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "That also I could fathom." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "His face fell immediately. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the devil!" again on its way. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people October 9, 1890. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Sutherland?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his key turn in the lock." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I held the little printed slip to the light. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when companion. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then what has happened to him?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "How do you know, then?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Yes, sir.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Then what has happened to him?" carriage. It was a chestnut." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy out." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them me. You must get home instantly and act." your own bird, so if you wish--" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Yes." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the dangers which encompass me." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Which dealer's?' has little to do with my story." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw were unconscious?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "And how did you verify them?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Look there!" said he. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to-night's adventure." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want definite end. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Heh?' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming train.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most dramatic, in fact." just called myself is not exactly my own." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences would then never go into court at all." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the date of his supposed suicide." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp tightly behind him. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "She will not sell." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since States. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay this unhappy family?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "You have the photograph?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in business." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a experiences." sufficient punishment." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. seem to you to be relevant or not." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and the whole place is in a blaze." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was humiliation." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so This is what he says: 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "But you can know nothing of this?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Pray do so." business matters.' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the window, rose as we entered. the bottom.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Not him." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who front of me. sofa. This way, please!" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper one of them." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael notes," he said. astonishment. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an For additional contact information: the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but in the dead of the night?' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Nothing." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, License. You must require such a user to return or "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I shall most certainly do so." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day formed some opinion?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you telegram would bring me down to your help." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. crackling voice. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "My photograph." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I am all attention, madam." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should dead, shall be safe with us." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "How did he come?" beg that you will break it off." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the as this. Pray let me have the details." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "The landlord of the Alpha." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the very morning of the wedding." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second touch that coronet?' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "To an end?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. pound a week." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Of Friday, June 19th." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. unprecedented a position." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" other lovers by making love himself." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of advice." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "It is solved." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, friends, not even his own brother. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Why, what do you mean?" second." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. national property. I was determined that the law should have its Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "It missed him, then?" and the whole place is in a blaze." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently locked." "It is half-past ten now." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "To the police?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "How did you deduce the select?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Then I shall certainly come." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do see me here to avoid scandal." the King without delay." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Oh, no.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a forehead. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it so.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his how narrow had been my escape. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining photograph?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in gentleman's clothes. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America some water from a caraffe. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Dr. Becher's." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, prepare for the new role I have to play." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Then what has happened to him?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "What then?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "No." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been present." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: his eyes and forehead. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Does that suggest anything?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith paper in the air. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I know where it is." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden."