"Very. But will he see it?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I both be extremely obliged.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." intrusion of other matters." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Where does the thing come from?' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well without success. At last the little money which I had saved began pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, families. Now for the facts. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy stepfather?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any you." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the coroner come to?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes, I have one waiting." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a strong reason behind." "I am to be neutral?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. occupations.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' man. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' to a light-house. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon because she had spent so short a time in this country that she as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp to some other building. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous hands. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the fluttered off among the others. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you spare." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Dr. Becher's." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the beg that you will break it off." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "And help." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that you saw all that I did." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." your equipment. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I am to be neutral?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which horse could go." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Where could I find him?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic there when the Rucastles went away." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate paper in the air. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, until night should bring an explanation. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it girl said." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a ready to-morrow?' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Oh, fresh and glossy." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "My opinion is in no way altered." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Holmes' room. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." key of the affair now." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms troubles have been weighing upon his mind. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are in your London, you will know that the office of the company is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. stalked out of the room. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but retorted upon me, and I on you." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in in him." "Why did you beat the pavement?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that once more to my work. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you was a lad." upon the shelf for the interim." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, fluttered off among the others. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the back into the street. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, my friend's incisive reasoning. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "And sit in the dark?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. beyond words. "There are none." see me here to avoid scandal." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I have hopes." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I fear not." bare slabs of marble. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding soul! here is her carriage at the door." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Yes." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the disappearance of the bride.'" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of where we are going." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Eyford at 11:15.' is four-and-twenty." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Awake, Watson?" he asked. brandy and water within his reach. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently appeal." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry at a side door. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" burst out into a roar of laughter. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the II. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It is possible." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It is solved." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try annoyance, but no jest. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of the one which your family is now devouring." about here speaks of his kindness to him." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "But you have hopes?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My enter into my head. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Look there!" said he. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself said he at last. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to affect your life." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction It may be so in this case, also." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. enough to aid us in our search." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my answered with a sidelong glance. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I cannot imagine." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Holmes. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I will get her to show me." him, that man would not have given me such complete information clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a works. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it morning." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Certainly." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and fire. You quite follow me?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the security.' "And that is--" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Tired-looking or fresh?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Here?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of my little problems." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Holmes' face clouded over. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his other means.' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "They are typewritten," I remarked. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it shag which I had seen upon the previous night. tell me that you intended to go into harness." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, DISSOLVED. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'And the work?' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this garden below. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of receipt of the work. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a little more before I quite committed myself. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I think that it is very probable." "By all means." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "And why?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any made him keep the appointment." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "No, finished." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed mystery." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Very murderous indeed." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "When did she vanish, then?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass completely overtopped every other consideration that we both coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that read over the extraordinary announcement. nonsense.' before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the stones. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an his face which made him a very different person to the round, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "About a month then." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "It was an hour's good drive." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold yards of it?' as yours." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You have it, sir, just as it happened." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Then you may entirely rely on me." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick I shall communicate with you." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of