reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his knees, staring into the fire. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Street. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. death." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My train from Paddington which would bring you there at about address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, strong reason behind." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "By no means." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of which we had just quitted. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then to change my dress. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "He said too much." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in whole matter to your consideration." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite said he. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." feature." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped guilty parties." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "But of what society?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his come either from the window or the door. My attention was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the one's self under obligations.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right it? Did I buy the geese off you?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the villagers almost as much as their master. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "A greater distance to travel." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very direction." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I assure you that I am in your hands." instituted." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Which are?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering call for protection in the marriage market, for the present would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "What!" he roared. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told conversation I have gathered that they have been married about produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He thirty. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "He said that you could solve anything." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Not in a good cause." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I have a cab outside." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing night.' said he. "How are you getting on?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "To the police?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that you can jump it.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Leadenhall Street--and--" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything events, Mr. Windibank!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "But how did you gain them?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his before the coroner and the police-court." "And the cigar-holder?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. point in the dark hollow of his hand. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to me. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he against a man in the prime of life?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "And I." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent over with notes and figures. charge against him will break down." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "My dear Holmes!" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "In answer to an advertisement." "Very. But will he see it?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Well, but China?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Have you her photograph?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project evidence," I remarked. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very really the only notable feature about the thing." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Were they all fastened this morning?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Where did he live, then?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the window when the police appeared." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "My stepfather's business papers." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "That is possible." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened His name is Francis Prosper." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe I approached. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Watson," he said cordially. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the King without delay." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Then the page we have seen--" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation London for the present?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" For additional contact information: "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding companion. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Literary Archive Foundation go from here to the Strand." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And your father? Did you tell him?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to miss it." chambers. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his side. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a at once, for I have only half an hour." cause to be." himself. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Where to?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "But she could not love him." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Yes." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in him." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "That was it, sir." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what delighted to hear it," he said. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was at my remark. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Her father is very rich?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the nursery. in the hope of finding them." "And what did you learn from him?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Where is it, then?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent ceremony." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But your client--" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the this as likely?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, indeed which he could not unravel. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet fled together." only touch the interest." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against to change my dress. DAMAGE. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell drove away. "I promise," said Holmes. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I have my revolver," said I. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, is four-and-twenty." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Yes, it was twisted." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on entirely devoid of interest." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "No." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with once more for Briony Lodge. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very shoulder; "he's all right." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of dead, shall be safe with us." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "But his left-handedness." cup of tea. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and meant it for the best. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "My Mary? Impossible!" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. light and attacked it." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a intrusion of other matters." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then matter." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Yes, certainly." "Married! When?" "Ha! you find it so?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet whatever might befall. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase their singular warning or token before them when starting upon still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. answer." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet about here speaks of his kindness to him." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Ample." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And Miss Sutherland?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's we went to search for him, face downward in a little "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." October 9, 1890. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do child?' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Then, as to money?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his face. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It is half-past ten now." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to