"There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were matters immensely." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." secret." father's young wife. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the nursery. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted late!' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" it." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "My Mary? Impossible!" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. with some details as to your case." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have arrested. You then--" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "My last client of the sort was a king." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Did your wife hear all this?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Yes, I have one waiting." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my just called myself is not exactly my own." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Certainly,' I answered. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another room had already been engaged for us. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in see a sister of mine apply for." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the room while you explain this matter?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Why that?' I asks. mysterious business." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The instincts rose up against that laugh. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable salesman. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "That's no good." and I shall be with you presently." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg made him keep the appointment." occurred." union?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Your presence might be invaluable." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his trying to your nerves." "Why did you beat the pavement?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "It is his hat." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the galvanised. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. might help us?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." business." "And your father? Did you tell him?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "And it is--" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a of your young ladies.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this read it out to me." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I have it here in my museum." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come think that any burglar could have done. o'clock is it?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had some terrible trap for her." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself think you a quite exceptional woman." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed outsides of the windows. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "And the cigar-holder?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lectures into a series of tales." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his constraint." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It was." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and electronic works "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very carried out of court." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation make me his representative both with the servants and with the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'What do you call purely nominal?' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' invisible to me," I remarked. "I cannot say that I have." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "No legal papers or certificates?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Certainly." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' over with notes and figures. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "The Cedars?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well new acquaintance to Baker Street. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not who was a member of your goose club." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the during which he might have communicated with his friend the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall this Miss Turner." "Who by?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Nothing?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." you came in." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." as the one I chose?' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself trifles." Stoke Moran." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It was." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" how narrow had been my escape. roused himself from his reverie. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been noise which awoke you from your sleep?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's delighted to hear it," he said. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will have got?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, security.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these during the last few years, and there are many noble families to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "That is not always so easy." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." newspaper selections." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, becomes even more simple." "'Entirely.' pound a week." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'It is locked up,' I answered. will not take me long to tell. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his it. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Stolen." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office him!" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I chance at all." becomes even more simple." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The her also." definite end. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been thin, with a long, sharp nose?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little chill to my heart. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project companion quietly. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with It was close upon four before the door opened, and a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I grasp, he hurried from the room. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Oh, fresh and glossy." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had ourselves in the office." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Yes, from Horsham." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Street. him and tried to hold him back. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "That's no good." "By no means." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That at home. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, union?" pictures, libraries, or plate. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You will not go there first?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him constraint." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not have an American origin." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Come in!" said he. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you morning." may have an influence upon European history." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can my friend's incisive reasoning. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes, at the mines." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, said I. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do him. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the quite distinctive." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yes." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "On the contrary, this is the right side." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It is a murder, then?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Pool. "Yes, from Horsham." good-night and bustled off upon her way. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a horse could go." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as License. You must require such a user to return or would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Cross for the Continent." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who your bag." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here since then to throw any light upon what became of him." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has is so. I know all about McCarthy." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Thank you. And your address?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I don't believe it." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "So I heard. You have him here?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling triumphant cloud from his cigarette. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the night.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I took the paper from him and read as follows: which it had come upon my father." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came to miss it." again on its way. straighten it?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "In the cells." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You heard nothing yourself last night?" occurred." you want, then?' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "From his hat?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I would pay ten." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a absorbing." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, away into the river." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found been." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my you in your example." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Imitated." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Can I be of assistance?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "But of what society?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the furiously. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by room had already been engaged for us.