usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features ready to-morrow?' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I am following you closely," I answered. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And is that all?" The King stared at him in amazement. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of works. See paragraph 1.E below. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And I to find an enemy." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'In my own bureau.' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. awaited us upon the table. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fatally injured? woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided there!' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. go back?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it your co-operation." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the loss of it. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And what did you learn from him?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should photograph a cabinet?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll this unhappy family?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Witness: I must still refuse. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I will, Miss Turner." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak problems help me to do so." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must think, you have already met." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Your sister is dead, then?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "On your arm?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My upon a handsome competence. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would excitement. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" signal between you and your father? see me here to avoid scandal." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "None." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. this as likely?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'How far from the body?' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to very old mansion. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "The doctor?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK persecution?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You have carte blanche." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I am in hopes that she does." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had approach us with offers to donate. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if McCarthy's innocence. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and entirely lost his self-respect." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism have had none more fantastic than this." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "About a month then." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the driver. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, compunction about shooting them down." writers could invent nothing more crude." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the coronet at all injured?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by begin with, and I had not got mine yet." his grey eyes. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to until night should bring an explanation. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "What can it mean?" I gasped. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. death." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "What shall I do?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has with some details as to your case." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Here?" colour had been driven from his face. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger had this final quarrel? us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was http://www.gutenberg.net was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "In San Francisco, a year ago." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And how did you verify them?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" hurried away. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left voice. returned to France?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when garden below. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, walking." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have before, for it was considerably after midnight. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Where to?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You have a clue?" up this clue while it is still hot." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Nothing." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "An enemy?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." death." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited at a side door. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I cannot as yet see any connection." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I cannot imagine." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect has little to do with my story." said he. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they in the port of London." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. corner of the building. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic depend upon your compliance." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, a little more before I quite committed myself. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Yes." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "What steps will you take?" I asked. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Yes." that I can to serve you." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I have my revolver," said I. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the dangers which encompass me." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "From his hat?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Yes, it was gone.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the side-table." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the get the tickets." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'And the work?' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as front of the hall door has given its name to the place. said Mr. Holder. just called myself is not exactly my own." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Perhaps I have." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Dr. Gregory B. Newby this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' corner of the building. "To the police?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the one as in the other." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; only touch the interest." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Sutherland. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Never,' said I. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Leadenhall Street--and--" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "In answer to an advertisement." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Of what?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the digesting their breakfasts at home." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "No, I had a dozen." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And how did you find out?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt stammered. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank investigation." his knees, staring into the fire. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement is worth.' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's indeed happy." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be was a lad." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been back alive. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Proceed, then." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I say that I have solved it." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the iron safe, which he closed upon it. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is before, for it was considerably after midnight. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into tension within him. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Well, it is a possible supposition." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I distinguish the words: "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I see no marks." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "My Mary? Impossible!" wife's character?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Witness: I must still refuse. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not furiously. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at a suggestive one." "And who is her maid?" to tackle the facts." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same ceremony." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug