"What! You do not mean bodies?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his hands. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, you in yours." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and the colonel ushered me in. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to recover the gem." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you get her out of the way." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Henry Baker is a member." absorbing." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or have got?" events, Mr. Windibank!" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the matter?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to-night." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and looked back. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen possible that we could bring him back to her? "Where to?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You are hungry," I remarked. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I forehead. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the so-precious time, but come!' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the morning and make my own way in the world.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I will get her to show me." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it wife's character?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that long narrative. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Certainly." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And how did you find out?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Has he come with you to-night?" without a word or a look. "Perhaps we may make them less so." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Whose house is it?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, clanging. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Very murderous indeed." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "What! You do not mean bodies?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together call it cruel." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear lumber-room." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and closing the door. stalked out of the room. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly question," said Holmes, smiling. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hour." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the purpose of examination. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and the church but not where the lady lived." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes." "I fear not." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Married! When?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen late." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Yes, but only for you and me." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and crackling voice. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a strode off upon his way. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it felt the room to be a little close.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and are, I think, all that we need." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of dead, shall be safe with us." "'Certainly,' I answered. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "What have you to say now?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the little opening for the ventilator is." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "We were both in the photograph." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of ordinary clothes on?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, salesman. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some for and were ordered to this address. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Young McCarthy must be got off, however." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both as yours." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Stolen." "'Quite sure, dad.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Young McCarthy must be got off, however." clanging. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and gentleman's clothes. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, works. See paragraph 1.E below. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and nights." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "We were both in the photograph." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "No, but the enclosure is." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free recover the gem." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "I would give my fortune to have them back." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did time." entirely lost his self-respect." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of said he at last. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "You have the photograph?" to me. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and made his money." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a round with crates and massive boxes. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! house for five minutes.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, shoulder; "he's all right." remarked. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, official police." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly his wife has ceased to love him." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I cannot say that I have." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about an introduction to him?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "You are all wrong." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in chance." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which neither fascinating nor artistic." again, where I was soon asleep. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Nothing." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an you." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer forehead. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to-night's adventure." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the strong and stiff." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "It is to him that this trophy belongs." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I strength." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the bed, and you in that chair." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of learned something! Where are the gems?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "What do you mean?" directors, with the result that you have seen." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And how have you succeeded?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss round and wave him away like that.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each went to the Alpha were town bred." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of better grown goose." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Leadenhall Street--and--" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a generous with you in money matters.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge how narrow had been my escape. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "What then?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and the church but not where the lady lived." "10th. John Swain cleared. be. the inquest, and which are worth considering." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "This concluded the examination of the witness." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Of what day?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I will do it." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. photograph a cabinet?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, trying to your nerves." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone handed it to him. records." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and tell me that you intended to go into harness." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Oh, fresh and glossy." wife's character?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to have got?"