that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" one which it was hard to resist. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds would apply.' of." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through DISSOLVED. leave you to your papers for a little." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the you." arrested. You then--" in this note: he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the hurried by. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" other lovers by making love himself." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, look dissatisfied." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came You can understand that this register and diary may implicate refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of me have 200 pounds?' confronted him. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something III. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his asked. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." writer." directly by questioning you." upon the white wrist. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If this remarkable episode. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that here." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Proceed, then." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has it." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted one of them." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Perhaps we may make them less so." friends, not even his own brother. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "One?" some city in a dream. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Cross for the Continent." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Munro.' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the bedroom door." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was chance at all." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the writers could invent nothing more crude." nights." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Why did you beat the pavement?" bare slabs of marble. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Chief Executive and Director "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in he died? the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming ourselves in the office." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Ample.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my happened." "Were they all fastened this morning?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a compunction about shooting them down." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few to-night?" I asked. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must fat-encircled eyes. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Do you receive much company?" he asked. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up formed some opinion?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Well?" these bleak autumnal evenings." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his populous neighbourhood." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "So it appears." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no as he folded up the epistle. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, quickly through a disagreeable task. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite lectures into a series of tales." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You villagers almost as much as their master. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three wanted for ourselves." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows clang of the bell. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and it need not interfere very much with one's other reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Does that suggest anything?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," details." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Leadenhall Street--and--" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an galvanised. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, really the only notable feature about the thing." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the bare slabs of marble. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Where is it, then?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "You have carte blanche." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Dr. Becher's." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "What is it, then--a fire?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one I am not easy in my mind about them." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first whereabouts. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was used.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." be. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most unprofitable." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly girl said." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry upon the shelf for the interim." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "This concluded the examination of the witness." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But she will refuse." is," said he presently: to a more successful conclusion." me." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "It was an hour's good drive." conduct the inquiry." Holmes' face clouded over. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And why?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Why that?' I asks. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was go from here to the Strand." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before ill-usage at the hands of fortune. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "And I to find an enemy." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the not as remarkable as your advertisement." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version if I call to-morrow?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Your sister is dead, then?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. once more to my work. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop congenial hunt. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of you understand?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired know that the truth is known." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you companion. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. awaited us upon the table. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "From his hat?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call quick march!" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his meant it for the best. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the my friend's incisive reasoning. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it once more to my work. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have 1.E.9. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "May I see it?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "That's no good." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "How many? I don't know." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." such attractions and accomplishments?' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I enough to aid us in our search." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the to a light-house. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his forehead." fatally injured? Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so national property. I was determined that the law should have its constraint." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to tell." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a said I. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It cheerful." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, dear old homesteads?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk whether it answered to the description of any of their hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, cause to be." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the room while you explain this matter?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose husband's writing, madam." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." which we had just quitted. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Surrey." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Mary, has deserted me." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was was a lad." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to unprecedented a position." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a me." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your problems help me to do so." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? entirely devoid of interest." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I in him." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a me. You must get home instantly and act." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my delighted to hear it," he said. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie neither fascinating nor artistic." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness anything to a woman, for she would have her way." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the house with me." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "And from a noble client?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than way in everything. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of meanly of me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some I am not easy in my mind about them." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. any more." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left DISSOLVED. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are article?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "You saw the ventilator, too?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are done what I asked you, Jones?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "What then?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the be.