"'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I am following you closely," I answered. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of coroner's jury." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I served to weaken the effect. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "By train from Waterloo." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would criminal. We have already had experience of such." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "And now?" He raised his hand. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been visitors." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Just look it up, then." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter matter over." other means.' discontent upon his features. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Of what day?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, these bleak autumnal evenings." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she beg that you will break it off." were unconscious?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the best of training." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" business matters.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "And how did you verify them?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly investigation." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'Stolen!' he cried. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything stalked out of the room. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "But he might be a bachelor." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "How did you deduce the select?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." she to prove their authenticity?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It is very clear." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then possible that we could bring him back to her? her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which sparkled upon his finger. "Then I am your man." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I am in hopes that she does." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "No, distinctly professional." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'And the work?' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "The knees of his trousers." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Certainly." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is shall not find me ungrateful." again before evening." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was with you?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" for and were ordered to this address. "One?" carried out of court." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, notes," he said. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or that what I may call a really hard day's work." "'What then?' I asked. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with fluttered off among the others. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found against a man in the prime of life?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Witness: Nothing definite. "What I expected to see." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. nothing of it?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the following enigmatical notices: call the police, let the police find what they can.' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'About the same.' "BALLARAT." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of them has the shutters up.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." out." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their at once, for I have only half an hour." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Project Gutenberg-tm works. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "And why in hopes?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with them present such singular features as the strange train of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I interest. They are important, you understand, without being "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Well?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the our word." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "It was an hour's good drive." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they fait accompli?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. His name is Francis Prosper." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "This photograph!" anything to do with the matter?" pound a week." the driver. writing, and yet I know it well." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I do." the King without delay." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Why, what do you mean?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start vanished into the darkness. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I with you?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end congenial hunt. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and your relations to her." "Where, then?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary business." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, said Mr. Holder. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking examine." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, despair." "I was mad--insane." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, extraordinary contortions. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to surprise her." me have 200 pounds?' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be disturbance in my wife." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "We were both in the photograph." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "And you don't know his address?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "What is it?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that happened." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Did he not advertise?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you these bleak autumnal evenings." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Then I can wait in the next room." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I guessed as much." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon article?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "The knees of his trousers." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'What, the red-headed man?' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son geese which you supplied to the Alpha." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "What is it?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Where is it, then?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "The Cedars?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but there!' night.' said he. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and detained." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It frequently gained my first real insight into the character of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more gives a meaning to it." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "He said that you could solve anything." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." which we had just quitted. within hail.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper distance from the station, and there we found the young lady brain must have something in it." of the way of danger. against a man in the prime of life?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow national property. I was determined that the law should have its arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and the colonel ushered me in. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen narrative." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers overpowering excitement and concern. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Where did you address your letters, then?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which salesman. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "To an end?" third from London." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable him nearly every evening." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. so far?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. companion quietly. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Did he not advertise?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to take care of herself." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Not in a good cause." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have been better. It is all right." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a it right.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at bachelor.' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "It is no ordinary one." bill, which interests me deeply." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes there has been an enclosure here!" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "But how?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are British peeress.'" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then to Leatherhead. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her gone. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it that?' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened presented which may be striking and bizarre without being whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Never,' said I. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. III. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And why?" open."