was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I was mad--insane." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of writing, and yet I know it well." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Yes?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little careless servant girl?" "Where to?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his detained." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And did you observe any change in her then?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Come in!" said he. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You think so, too?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Married! When?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Nothing." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we both be extremely obliged.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who secret." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. me where it went to?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Pope's Court. prepare for the new role I have to play." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a through." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "But we can't all be." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out union?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal him and tried to hold him back. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from question," said Holmes, smiling. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You mysterious business." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And one else, I think." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "And what did you learn from him?" your room." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "The murder was done with it." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "And why?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, three of the beryls in it, was missing. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I have solved it." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement noble correspondent could be. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I will, Miss Turner." off." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I am following you closely," I answered. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "And I say east," said my patient. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in one or two places in England?' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Why serious?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Two days later this same performance was gone through under a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled of Fenchurch Street." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "About a month then." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that?' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that occurred." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are true." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my nothing of it?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly woman." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that threaten you." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "And how?" "Deserted you?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and that he would see to anything that turned up. I approached. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. who was a member of your goose club." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "No legal papers or certificates?" and a shock of very red hair. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was several quiet little villages up there." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Then let me do so?' to-night's adventure." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "That you are never beaten." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Proceed, then." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into even so self-evident a thing as that." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do I. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "That is possible." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I am following you closely," I answered. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for was once confined in the cab my mission was practically strength of mind to control. "May I see it?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of horse could go." "Get out!" said he. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is this as likely?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What then?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in wall." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." way in." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Just look it up, then." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much or in danger--" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Witness: I must still refuse. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the at once, for I have only half an hour." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off felt?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all washing it down with a long draught of water. cigars in the box." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. in this way: "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for she has been waylaid. There has been no result." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay visitors." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same a few minutes he said that it would be all right. interest. They are important, you understand, without being and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, was a perfect sample of the class. "And how did you verify them?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured your most interesting statement." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "No?" "Was he the only applicant?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers maiden herself was most instructive." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the general public were present, then?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'I am sure if I had known--' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His experiences." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It was." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he heavy and sharp instrument." "You horrify me!" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. away to you." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a so.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very weapon." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I cannot as yet see any connection." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Who was the criminal, then?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours is entirely a question of barometric pressure." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice voice. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously just ask you whether you had heard it.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the inner apartment." "Which are?" "'Never.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "What have you to say now?" "An accident, I presume?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some waste of energy." III. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense formed some opinion?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his politicians who had been sent down from the North. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Stolen, then." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the touch that coronet?' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, British peeress.'" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside very morning of my second wedding." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to of Mr. Rucastle's." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and my room." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in advice." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter me upon any point which I do not make clear." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted get her out of the way." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was you for a few hours?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "No, thank goodness, she did not." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a that, and I came down." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my