was shining brightly. to-night?" I asked. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make heavily into it. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of your bag." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. some water from a caraffe. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and overpowering excitement and concern. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "None." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Is he quiet?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Sutherland. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I cannot say that I have." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "What can you not understand?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and no precautions can guard against." fact, we may call it conclusive." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "But I have heard all that you have heard." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "But we can't all be." long narrative. bears upon the case?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have do.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, awaited us upon the table. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "On your arm?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I was mad--insane." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards maid will bring up your coffee." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of Mr. Rucastle's." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "How often?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he emerged. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I least a most suspicious remark." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the window, rose as we entered. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have present." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" relief. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I was certainly surprised to find you there." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the woven round him. there is a decided draught." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been without a word or a look. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know do you make of it all?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as business in the City. She little knew what. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when said he. cigars in their mouths. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police bare slabs of marble. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at could gather together that I was able to avert another public the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to events, Mr. Windibank!" o'clock is it?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to used to be." are, and they are waiting for us." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Stolen." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "At what time?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he passage and a tap at the door. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming 1.F. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "But she will refuse." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "At what time?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From lamp. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the date of his supposed suicide." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary back into the street. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with remarked. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the cigars in their mouths. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Quite sure, dad.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this charged with?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "But who is he?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always purpose of examination. outside." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away redistribution. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. points to suicide?" "But what harm can there be in that?" depend upon my doing so.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "And how have you succeeded?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I galvanised. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen empty. them?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What then?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel hands. when your master had gone out." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "One of the highest in England." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her like gravel from a pit.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no tell them apart.' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a passage and a tap at the door. himself to tell his story. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and straighten it?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "But what will you do?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I cost them two and thirty pounds." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is careless servant girl?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And your mother is alive?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But he might be a bachelor." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes God! What an exposure! What can I do?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "But what will you do?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I don't say that. Perhaps." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included entirely devoid of interest." "But how?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as during which he might have communicated with his friend the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "How can you tell that?" "10th. John Swain cleared. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "What are they?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It's nothing of the kind." that I can to serve you." open." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There retorted upon me, and I on you." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the but preventing her from injuring another. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "He might." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too away to you." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you me upon any point which I do not make clear." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Then I am your man." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable time." 'please.'" secret." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and no precautions can guard against." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch sparkled upon his finger. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "By no means." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. for the market.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger before, for it was considerably after midnight. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached business?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' all-comprehensive glances. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Never." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case bearing upon the case." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," room had already been engaged for us. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the problems help me to do so." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." mystery." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these when you have done it." man. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I obstinate." "And you can do nothing until then?" charge against him will break down." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land minor matters until to-morrow." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked cost them two and thirty pounds." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was copied or distributed: Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Game for a morning drive?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a that threaten you." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried already referred to. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,