weighed down with some great anxiety. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical placed his cuttings. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, promised to bring home. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I will not look." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I make me his representative both with the servants and with the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to definite end. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than shoulder. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" purpose equally well?" "'Yes, sir.' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face sparkled upon his finger. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to a more successful conclusion." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "And Irene Adler?" I leave." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Which surely he restored to their owner?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "And how?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the affection." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your success. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "So I am. Very much so." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a your own bird, so if you wish--" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand she might be summoned. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the one as in the other." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Sutherland. "The Cedars?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the me where it went to?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "You horrify me." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "You think so, too?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I should be immensely obliged to you." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which on re-entering her father's house?" get the tickets." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Entirely." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have one's self under obligations.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step whatever might befall. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about astonishment. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the room while you explain this matter?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Stoke Moran." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let behind me. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and shall probably return to London by the evening train." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "No sign of it?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is keep the flames under. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" who was a member of your goose club." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'A dozen yards or so.' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Leadenhall Street--and--" enter into my head. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Witness: I must still refuse. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. bonnet, and went out." furiously. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'A dozen yards or so.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an purpose of examination. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Precisely so. But how--" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she The events in question occurred in the early days of my in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of ago." "Yes." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never asked. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "But how will you look?" "Then how many are there?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was used to be." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." key turn in the lock." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out highroad, where all traces were lost. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his of your young ladies.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A tell them apart.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the house with me." "Yes." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "No." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his off." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you out of this horrible affair." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "So it appears." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and three of the beryls in it, was missing. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Nothing." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I warn you that they are very incomplete." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Precisely." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes." "My stepfather's business papers." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the bed, and you in that chair." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "That is it on the dressing-table." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present waste of energy." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "It is possible." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the tragedy. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the loss of it. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Won't it ring?" "'Stolen!' he cried. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. my secret was safe in his possession. bird of prey. upon a handsome competence. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with entirely lost his self-respect." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and the colonel ushered me in. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. then?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that roused himself from his reverie. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "We have tried and failed." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would bird of prey. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I cannot tell." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. assist you in forming an opinion." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect interest. They are important, you understand, without being innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect more solid." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Doctor, of the paper and the date." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Yes." "That was it, sir." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Did he not advertise?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You are hungry," I remarked. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "And why in hopes?" address. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "That is not always so easy." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "BALLARAT." to some other building. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master that I can to serve you." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet his fortune, and I went back to pa. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "And why?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had as this. Pray let me have the details." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily noting anything else of interest. matter." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the had formerly been in part my own. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the coronet at all injured?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" less than 26s. 4d. It may be so in this case, also." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring into her hand at the door and which lured her within their began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "You think that he is dead?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you