"Proceed, then." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Only as much as we can deduce." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "No, my brougham is waiting." "I have solved it." "I would give my fortune to have them back." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," been lifted and conveyed somewhere." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and This is what he says: train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I brandy and water within his reach. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' tension within him. His name is Francis Prosper." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the your own bird, so if you wish--" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "We must have a cab." "Yes, sir." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your ourselves in the office." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just drove away. "Whose house is it?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began maiden herself was most instructive." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shaken than I had ever seen him. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "By no means." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner one which it was hard to resist. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered which it had come upon my father." giving me time to thank him. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you morning." "I will get her to show me." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced mysterious end." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to helping a boy to put up the shutters. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "That is unusual in a young girl." Sholtos." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" do.' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." despaired of." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And Miss Sutherland?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Deserted you?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of points to suicide?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I nice household for a young lady." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand highroad, where all traces were lost. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Pray tell us what has happened to you." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" of them has the shutters up.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." me what he had done with the three missing stones. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Ah!" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "That sounds a little paradoxical." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that before taking the final step I should like to submit the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying had picked up in the wood. already referred to. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It looks newer than the other things?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Where to?' to me. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "VIOLET HUNTER." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with I shall communicate with you." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler less than 26s. 4d. goes." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Precisely so. But how--" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre touch that coronet?' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And why?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "What shall I do?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you daring than any effort of the imagination." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. like gravel from a pit.' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own roused himself from his reverie. strength in the others." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to change my dress. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And I." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I would pay ten." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The himself in a perplexing position. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the started for the Temple to see my husband. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "What, then?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled know what is wrong with it.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Precisely." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Not in a good cause." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. in the dead of the night?' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "That was it, sir." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "So I am. Very much so." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Street. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Look there!" said he. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "And now?" I asked. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Then what has happened to him?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the despaired of." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country indeed happy." one which it was hard to resist. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a as he folded up the epistle. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; investigation." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "10th. John Swain cleared. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' long narrative. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone other means.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "And you thought he was pulled back?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and shoulder; "he's all right." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our him. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been His name is Francis Prosper." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and business matters.' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in would then never go into court at all." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" must be when I saw the door open.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly way in." "'Which dealer's?' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased it with his own hands." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own was already answered. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. my special province." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It missed him, then?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "You'll never persuade me to believe that." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a bachelor.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose nothing of it?" "Dr. Becher's." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called walking." "Look there!" said he. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with bill, which interests me deeply." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a wall." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. clang of the bell. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Was your sister dressed?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia it." "Not I." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Yes.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, lamp. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and a shock of very red hair. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence business in the City. She little knew what. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Yes.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I cannot tell." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Countess of Morcar's?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 time." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this passage and a tap at the door. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. him nearly every evening." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new to have been novel and of interest." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Street. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed locked." "In what way?" asked Holmes. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an question you as to those details which seem to me to be most drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted occupations.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his during which he might have communicated with his friend the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor congratulate you again." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a derbies." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in it." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my your room." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully been with you?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. clanging. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Here?" "I am to be neutral?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my to talk it over. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps matter." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Count Von Kramm." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." in his power. "Certainly, madam." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, from you?" said he at last. stalked out of the room. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady events, Mr. Windibank!" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'Where could I find him?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" shoulder; "he's all right." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "He is dead," cried several voices. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It been with you?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after how narrow had been my escape. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of your co-operation." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same introspective fashion. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, she used." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I have hopes." nonsense.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of lost nothing by them." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Literary Archive Foundation and glanced through. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of power." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Mrs. Toller serenely. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and his cane at the bell-pull. "Of what day?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll