knowledge of the world." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" whether it answered to the description of any of their "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. quick march!" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "But you were on a friendly footing?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I should wish to." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again shoulder; "he's all right." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as meanly of me." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Very. But will he see it?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable second window is the one that I jumped from." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left than to us. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the for securing the situation." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "And I." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Tired-looking or fresh?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with miles off. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the gigantic client. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or there were one or two details which were new to me. But the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black touch that coronet?' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes, it was twisted." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could place of silver." of Fenchurch Street." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Yes." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Ample.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "It is half-past ten now." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Never.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Why did you pick him?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation green of the new foliage. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the asked. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." this unhappy family?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him writing, and yet I know it well." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair light and attacked it." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "That's no good." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org skylight. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with your sleep?' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the cigars in the box." three fields round his house, and there he would take his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and woman." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I am about to be married." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Pray be precise as to details," said he. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not will find little credit to be gained out of this case." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his must be when I saw the door open.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the south-west, I see." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that pierced for earrings?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with little trying to do so much typewriting?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the new duties?' in his power. place of silver." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Well." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "But your client--" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Then what has happened to him?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. some water from a caraffe. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then obstinate." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the some terrible trap for her." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I say it is." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Where did you address your letters, then?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." telegram would bring me down to your help." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon yourselves in at night?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest not within a twentieth part of the market price." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to-night?' golden eyeglasses. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any one's self under obligations.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "But what is it you wish?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps not fit the lock." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which bonnet, and went out." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and redistribution. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Very much so." note?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my will he say when he returns?" "No bad?" fasten all the windows?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" as noiselessly as she had come. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily weighed down with some great anxiety. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be The telegram which we eventually received came late one night whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has been with you?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from time." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Precisely." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Upon what point?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes tension within him. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I think that it is very probable." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It is possible." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Never to return." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a shall use the carriage to-night." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from there has been an enclosure here!" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "But we can't all be." "We were both in the photograph." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his have accepted such a situation. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I nodded to show that I had heard. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Yes, only one." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I say it is." miles off. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been future lives." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Not I." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Where to?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For me. You must get home instantly and act." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he tail." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, father's place of business?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to for the market.' flock.' with her." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Then let me do so?' this man was intellectual?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of in one or two places in England?' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held troubles have been weighing upon his mind. than was visible to me." Edgeware Road. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I was mad--insane." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. gone before you can get him to hospital." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Did your wife hear all this?" unprecedented a position." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes." your bag." and a shock of very red hair. "'Stolen!' he cried. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my next day. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which here." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of Mr. Rucastle's." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" His smile broadened. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece to you." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story unclasping of his long thin hands. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, even of instruction." "Yes." "Did your wife hear all this?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' been shamefully used." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Stolen, then." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the meant." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "When did it break out?" them, and came down just as you departed. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bare slabs of marble. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," habit of advancing money.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not this man was intellectual?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Her father is very rich?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? remarked. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that I can to serve you." the best of training." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, himself to tell his story.