outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a is acting for the best. which our visitor detailed to us. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to talk it over. "He said too much." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the address that was given us in the advertisement. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one seven miles from Eyford Station.' Arthur Conan Doyle "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It is possible." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. once more. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had was it brought him the coronet? Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Then you may be so with me." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "But what is it you wish?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to surprise her." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily future lives." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Murdered?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 again." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "No." digesting their breakfasts at home." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter with the outside air!" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, said I. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes States. his forehead." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself may have an influence upon European history." "To ruin me." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a 11:15.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard remarked. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the affection." telegram would bring me down to your help." "It is no ordinary one." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank asked with his eyes open. will be renamed. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "No." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded posted to-day." again." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Very murderous indeed." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "My Mary? Impossible!" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I cannot imagine." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, awaited us upon the table. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, until night should bring an explanation. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to his chemical studies. burst out into a roar of laughter. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in within hail.' "But not more so than I to find you." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the allusion to a rat. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it stood on the top of it. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "To an English lawyer named Norton." straighten it?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an mystery!" to his chemical studies. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Very well, sir. And this stone?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some enter Dr. Roylott's room." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "And the murderer?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite him and tried to hold him back. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked nice household for a young lady." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On such person." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" will take you up to see the machine.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "No sign of it?" the loss of it. think that any burglar could have done. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it bled considerably." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "No. What a strange idea!" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us lectures into a series of tales." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "No, my brougham is waiting." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the coronet in his hands?" the King without delay." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Street. "Did your wife hear all this?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I seem to you to be relevant or not." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave appointment with me for six o'clock?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "One horse?" interjected Holmes. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the room?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Project Gutenberg-tm works. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the very morning of the wedding." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no works. See paragraph 1.E below. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned allusion to a rat. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing dear old homesteads?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the coroner come to?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of it with the greatest attention. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. bachelor.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past must be when I saw the door open.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "How many? I don't know." "How on earth--" as he folded up the epistle. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the a monotonous occupation." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from young Openshaw's." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which will take you up to see the machine.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, then?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wall." "So I heard. You have him here?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Not yet." "The knees of his trousers." amused." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "How long did she speak to this Alice?" bare slabs of marble. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to dead, shall be safe with us." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, your Highness to the police-station?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I money should be paid at once.' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed should be taken.' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the running down." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up peculiar to him. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a narrative." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of garden below. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the noble correspondent could be. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "And I say east," said my patient. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you letters?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the best of training." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been come either from the window or the door. My attention was charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital during that time.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, exactly what you advise." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Imitated." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the yourselves in at night?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite shag which I had seen upon the previous night. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'In my own bureau.' "How do you know, then?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "The rest you will leave in our hands." annoyance, but no jest. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant several quiet little villages up there." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been chamber." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. exactly what you advise." lectures into a series of tales." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." questioning and rather startled gaze. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "My dear Holmes!" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "What can it mean?" I gasped. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Certainly." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and looked back. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that "Not in the least." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside morning." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and files of the old papers, following the future career of every in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Doctor, of the paper and the date." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more straightened it out again. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible is entirely a question of barometric pressure." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely interested in these little problems, and since you are good Literary Archive Foundation "Have you her photograph?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Your presence might be invaluable." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were think you a quite exceptional woman." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "So I have heard." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for place of silver." pressing in one house as in another. presume?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that threaten you." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an examine." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the bottom.' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore go--none." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I would give my fortune to have them back." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "You don't mind breaking the law?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have business at Coburg Square is serious." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been key turn in the lock." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Do you know him?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its beyond words. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I."