there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his over part of the map. "What do you read?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You know me, then?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Here?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not his face which made him a very different person to the round, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. companion. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was correct than the official force." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress occupations.' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to have I gained?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy point in the dark hollow of his hand. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which just called myself is not exactly my own." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "My stepfather's business papers." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you more terrible than the truth. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to at home. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Literary Archive Foundation "And what then?" even of instruction." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without door?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where in the port of London." "A call for help, you thought?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Sutherland. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I nodded again. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle followed. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you before, for it was considerably after midnight. upon the white wrist. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten upon the white wrist. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you used to be." point in the dark hollow of his hand. strong reason behind." "How many? I don't know." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." this poor creature." nice household for a young lady." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the events, Mr. Windibank!" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I do." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the case-book, which he consulted. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Holmes, the busybody!" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the that threaten you." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Stolen." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Not social, then?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, details." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Pray do so." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at knowledge of the world." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man have had none more fantastic than this." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my a monotonous occupation." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said answered with a sidelong glance. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Yes, it was gone.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the child?' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young that, and I came down." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram deduce something from that?" "I do." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a seem to you to be relevant or not." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "When did it break out?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Not in the least." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great where Mr. Fordham shows you.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I cannot think." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the which are rolled in Rotterdam." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from future lives." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, as this. Pray let me have the details." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow page at http://pglaf.org "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I am following you closely," I answered. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just individual and becomes the badge of a society." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door dead, shall be safe with us." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "On Monday." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the one else, I think." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the little opening for the ventilator is." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some straightened it out again. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in his face. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Why? What do you mean?" putting in the horse. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Holmes. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an him!" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "But his left-handedness." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "It was a confession," I ejaculated. said Mr. Holder. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "That is also quite modern," said the lady. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "But who is he?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Why did you pick him?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that least a fellow-countryman. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "And how?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for returning from some small jollification and was making his way diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "What shall I do?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," suggested at once that there must be a communication between the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the at a side door. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing respectable self." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man possible that we could bring him back to her? "And what then?" have established a very serious case against the son of the kindly on the shoulder. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I friend's singular character. not as remarkable as your advertisement." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector acquaintance?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "In what way?" asked Holmes. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "How did you trace it, then?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, lost his Christmas dinner." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" next day. "'Ten to two.' "Certainly." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to back into the street. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in plantation.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you awkward doing business with an alias." persecution?" take the flies, but not before." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. with you alone." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing drove away. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Bought." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the nonsense.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the morning and make my own way in the world.' to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I would pay ten." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll signal between you and your father? "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. know all about it," he snarled. lamp. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt wedding?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Leadenhall Street--and--" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "My dear Holmes!" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Well, some hundreds of times." "Dirty?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. one else, I think." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was DISSOLVED. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Why, what do you mean?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Never.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I nodded to show that I had heard. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I father's place of business?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up lips." I. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "No, distinctly professional." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but to take care of herself." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. that, and I came down." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that not personally threatened." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "A confidential servant?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I will try. What is it?" them present such singular features as the strange train of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "And who is her maid?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I am following you closely," I answered. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return you." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his of the way of danger. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of it means?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hair?' "Yes." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in shoulder. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is of campaign. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, brain must have something in it." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my was lame." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty chamber." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it girl said." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had other, as fresh and trim as possible. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Seven!" I answered. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a place no limit on the sum I may draw." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Game for a morning drive?" "'And the work?' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Never,' said I. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened awkward doing business with an alias." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Yes?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he