"And he is a man with a wooden leg?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw appeared upon the scene." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait brain must have something in it." "Where is it, then?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was your equipment. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate your room." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my had formerly been in part my own. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his three fields round his house, and there he would take his Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who it." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands or in danger--" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. affair. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he outside. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "But he might be a bachelor." "'Yes, sir.' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no http://www.gutenberg.net over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to lamp. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in the dead of the night?' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong be.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions from you?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw noting anything else of interest. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I have a cab outside." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And now?" He raised his hand. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hour?' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to both be extremely obliged.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Project Gutenberg-tm works. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, at my remark. wife's character?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all mystery may be cleared along those lines." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "You know me, then?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I rose-bushes. "Witness: It was. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and with her." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in once more for Briony Lodge. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective voice, changing her seat as requested. true." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or passage and a tap at the door. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself or other trace. But how on earth--" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. affection." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to away to you." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "None." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. do.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Yes, sir." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. events, Mr. Windibank!" help us in this matter." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where himself to hunt down. "No, my brougham is waiting." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in round with crates and massive boxes. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Seven!" I answered. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, once more. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to talk it over. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been showing my impatience. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and wait." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Yes, all." a room. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Yes, sir." salesman. more solid." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. even of instruction." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together stammered. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." better grown goose." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have His name is Francis Prosper." foot. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. empty. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'A dozen yards or so.' more terrible than the truth. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or he. "Yes, sir." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Pray do so." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. my room." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "That's no good." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I am about to be married." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know locked." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'There is a drive, then?' exactly what you advise." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers sooner or later she must fall a victim. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "No." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than his knees, staring into the fire. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather learned something! Where are the gems?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "But what is it you wish?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., upon the shelf for the interim." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three there is a decided draught." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "We have tried and failed." "But what is it you wish?" "But the mystery?" "You have but to name it." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Certainly." such person." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the unclasping of his long thin hands. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over sooner or later she must fall a victim. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At husband's writing, madam." door?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that details should find their way into the papers. Inspector peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." cup of tea. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from over with notes and figures. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Married! When?" "The Cedars?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the tail." "'I am sure if I had known--' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done know that the truth is known." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur her also." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You did not overhear what they said?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is way in everything. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank client, rising. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a man. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, or other trace. But how on earth--" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned be.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." London for the present?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has past. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "The Cedars?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "The knees of his trousers." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that he will be back before evening." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "What!" he roared. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It may not come to that," said Holmes. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I will, Miss Turner." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave sneer upon his pale face. through." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard visitors." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. present." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the such person." row." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and delighted to hear it," he said. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." said Mr. Holder. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And on what day did he meet his death?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord imbecility!" he cried. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bears upon the case?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Certainly,' I answered. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Which dealer's?' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our that you saw all that I did." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at a good hundred miles off by now." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning