He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an best detective that ever lived. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. unprecedented a position." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go allusion to a rat. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Certainly." out of this horrible affair." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "How about poison?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I was mad--insane." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing delirious. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I closely." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that little adventures." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'I shall certainly be there.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." depend upon my doing so.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Does that suggest anything?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "In San Francisco, a year ago." conclusions. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been upon the white wrist. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite silent! Oh, he will be silent!' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And how did he make his money?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner himself in a perplexing position. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Just look it up, then." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her most interesting one." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the tightly behind him. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "But you can know nothing of this?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Nothing?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. gbnewby@pglaf.org description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds if I call to-morrow?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." public press." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot father's young wife. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'And the work?' a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Dr. Gregory B. Newby grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "What! Had he lost his wife?" made him keep the appointment." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'And the work?' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Just look it up, then." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the name is different." said I. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the house with me." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "And how did he make his money?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at address. to talk it over. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." public press." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, legal crime." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." if I call to-morrow?" maid will bring up your coffee." through." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and window when the police appeared." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to tapping his fingers upon the table. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "A greater distance to travel." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive you." may never be exposed to such a temptation." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most round and wave him away like that.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Never to return." "But what is it you wish?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Always." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Holmes." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in whether it answered to the description of any of their very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than leaning back in his chair. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of golden eyeglasses. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, important." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would During two years I have had three consultations and one small at my own good fortune. there was no need for father to know." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? upon the shelf for the interim." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been affection." success. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Arthur Conan Doyle orange pips. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." II. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Where, then?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important think you a quite exceptional woman." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number emerged. to-night." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Entirely." said I. "And it is--" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I am about to be married." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Why did you beat the pavement?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a for securing the situation." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Precisely." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." status with the IRS. bears upon the case?" London for the present?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Then, how do you know?" like that before?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Never." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a enter into my head. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You saw the ventilator, too?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' which are rolled in Rotterdam." official police." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to in one or two places in England?' with frightened eyes at his accuser. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in the dead of the night?' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed colour had been driven from his face. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the photograph a cabinet?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about felt the room to be a little close.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Stolen!' he cried. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your reach." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of campaign. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, that you can jump it.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front British peeress.'" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And Irene Adler?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Well?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step that you can jump it.' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what respectable self." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But she could not love him." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that of receipt of the work. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And why?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which companion imperturbably. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in better grown goose." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." it." bearing upon the case." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." reach." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for window when the police appeared." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Which are?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could power." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "No, thank goodness, she did not." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." photograph?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It is solved."