together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same I shall continue with my miserable story. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged good for you to do.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off for the market.' you." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes more solid." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than your bag." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" cheerful." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I am in hopes that she does." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" you." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands invisible to me," I remarked. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or lamp. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "How are you getting on?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Have you her photograph?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I cannot say that I have." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Doctor, of the paper and the date." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt have had none more fantastic than this." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" green of the new foliage. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows towards the blaze. of a light. other, as fresh and trim as possible. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Proceed, then." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from not as remarkable as your advertisement." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "And your father? Did you tell him?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "No bad?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Stolen!' he cried. "I don't say that. Perhaps." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Yes." carpenter." presume?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, existence." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most was lame." "And why?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "He said that you could solve anything." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Certainly, madam." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which existence." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the you?' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are was lame." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Well, some hundreds of times." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: him, that man would not have given me such complete information some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a my special province." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an question. "Then you may entirely rely on me." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There awaited us upon the table. "The murder was done with it." this as likely?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime not interfere, come what may. You understand?" dates and names. "But to whom?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have I gained?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Well." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned presented more singular features than that which was associated distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to observed. of receipt of the work. "Very murderous indeed." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in this way: long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Nothing?" "Yes, at the mines." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It surprised me." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, wall." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such as noiselessly as she had come. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name about. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a very morning of my second wedding." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "The vanishing of the lady." "A confidential servant?" was it brought him the coronet? A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from miles off. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed only touch the interest." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the date of his supposed suicide." one which it was hard to resist. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle friends, not even his own brother. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Dr. Becher's." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "It's nothing of the kind." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "In the cells." "He said too much." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Yesterday." upon the sideboard." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely From what you have told me I think that it is possible that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the running down." any little problem which you may submit to me." "What then?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates searched, without anything being found which could incriminate developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "What! You do not mean bodies?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened outside." me." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the in this note: "I came to find a friend." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may three fields round his house, and there he would take his married her." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very cheerful." closing the door. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the are windows in it, of course?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Yes?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and that he would see to anything that turned up. is worth.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the second." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Game for a morning drive?" "That is it on the dressing-table." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true any little problem which you may submit to me." cause to be." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Your sister is dead, then?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Who by?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders not within a twentieth part of the market price." suddenly upon us." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "What is it, then--a fire?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" round with crates and massive boxes. "And the murderer?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary to take care of herself." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the everything which you would wish to know." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" think that any burglar could have done. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the not, dad?" she asked. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into His smile broadened. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George your own bird, so if you wish--" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose any." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Can I be of assistance?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be crackling voice. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." that I may have something better before very many minutes are entirely devoid of interest." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a carpenter." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three throat." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "You think that he is dead?" "So it appears." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Foundation them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted gone. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Lee, in the county of Kent." "I think it very unlikely." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Not in a good cause." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In bled considerably." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that taking in every detail of the apartment. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the Red-headed League." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I answered that I had not. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that I can to serve you." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Most admirably.' her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to miss it." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss have been better. It is all right." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. colour had been driven from his face. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "No legal papers or certificates?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "By all means." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Upon what point?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of salesman. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the learned something! Where are the gems?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "That is unusual in a young girl." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some said I. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the to miss it." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "None. Neville wrote those words." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the placed his cuttings. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?"