glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Very. But will he see it?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I have my revolver," said I. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." pound a week." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever writers could invent nothing more crude." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." chair. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Thank you. And your address?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a make me his representative both with the servants and with the where she found matters as described by the last witness. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I room?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid there has been an enclosure here!" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master my room." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Ten to two.' "Seven!" I answered. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they me. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You horrify me!" to surprise her." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From do.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your weigh very heavily upon my conscience." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you in his hands." dramatic, in fact." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father generous with you in money matters.' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of the one which your family is now devouring." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the stable lane now." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Only as much as we can deduce." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my indiscretion." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "She told me to ask you." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long business." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to own family. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "And I." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'Yes.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and capable of preserving a secret.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm learned something! Where are the gems?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, do." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." meanly of me." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little been with you?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I have a cab outside." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But what harm can there be in that?" the tragedy. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for prisoner's face. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man any more." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen my friend's incisive reasoning. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "No, I think that I'll take it." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were did not hear it also.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his is so. I know all about McCarthy." points to suicide?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, business came to an end." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. past. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I have solved it." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'Most admirably.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply to his chemical studies. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was yards of it?' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed mystery!" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. questionable one." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." too. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a showing my impatience. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should beg that you will break it off." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which in my life." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her remarked. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to this as likely?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his any more." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here respectable self." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You have a clue?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had second." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any have an American origin." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite recover the gem." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "The gentleman I describe." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the coronet in his hands?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in south, for the country is more deserted there." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "And how have you succeeded?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I anything to do with the matter?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "You have the photograph?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the words came to my lips. spare." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds are windows in it, of course?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He gone. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of notes," he said. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I guessed as much." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a figure." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, your only hope of safety." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the bottom.' "Where to?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, strength." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences away to you." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE hurried by. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I house for five minutes.' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just upon the shelf for the interim." "No legal papers or certificates?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he least a fellow-countryman. waste of energy." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Yes, sir." Literary Archive Foundation his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot characteristics, but those are the more obvious." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the warnings." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down system of imprisonment?" prepare for the new role I have to play." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to-morrow." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the general public were present, then?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' next day. back into the street. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of any little problem which you may submit to me." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And I to find an enemy." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Certainly not. But why?' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had go from here to the Strand." ways of our fellow-men." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and your relations to her." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of know all about it," he snarled. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and the colonel ushered me in. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my question," said Holmes, smiling. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to matter over." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "How are you getting on?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I cannot think." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Come in!" said he. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. away to you." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? husband's writing, madam." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he directly by questioning you." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "You think that he is dead?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him 1.F. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." help us in this matter." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down man. I know him from the photograph." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Whose house is it?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. of a light. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "What! You do not mean bodies?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "My opinion is in no way altered." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fluttered off among the others. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went carriage. It was a chestnut." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Get out!" said he. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is walking." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, my friend's incisive reasoning. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "It is possible." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Yes, I promise.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that allusion to a rat. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless emerged. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I don't believe it." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "It missed him, then?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. rat could hardly pass through." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now