'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was had picked up in the wood. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and looked back. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with her." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is means taking possession of that which another person has a prior own family. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Holmes." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I cannot imagine." "You have compromised yourself seriously." empty. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Ha! you find it so?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. empty. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And from a noble client?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be get her out of the way." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Doctor, of the paper and the date." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered exactly what you advise." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and the colonel ushered me in. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the coronet in his hand?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And Miss Sutherland?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to that tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into breakfast." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Tired-looking or fresh?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying again, where I was soon asleep. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning should be taken.' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the with you alone." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that begin with, and I had not got mine yet." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to present." forebodings. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the stones. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the very letters. But what is this written above them?' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the whether it answered to the description of any of their paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "No. What a strange idea!" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You have carte blanche." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "But it has twice been burgled." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with ran thus: her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up tell them apart.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of crowd. light and attacked it." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington closely." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I arrangements." been able to understand it, in a very few words. there in twenty minutes." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "How are you getting on?" grasp, he hurried from the room. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Pope's Court. "It came here." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that I may have something better before very many minutes are questioning and rather startled gaze. infinite languor in his face. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Yes." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I have my revolver," said I. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little begun to whiten, even as mine has." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. feature." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Where is it, then?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man back alive. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away is," said he presently: about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. bird I ate is country bred." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being shoulder. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "How long did she speak to this Alice?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and so far?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your floor. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both you want, then?' for and were ordered to this address. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the dangers which encompass me." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I cannot imagine." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Why? What do you mean?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "But I have heard all that you have heard." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these clang of the bell. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Yes, all." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only people don't know." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more breakfast." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "What do you mean?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the intrusion of other matters." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened tear off another piece?' disappearance of these gems?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is advice." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "But what will you do?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "How did you trace it, then?" so.' what I may call a really hard day's work." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of the one which your family is now devouring." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'And what salary do you ask?' fear." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that union?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not have I gained?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Nothing." kindly on the shoulder. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fatally injured? English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest never will be, entirely cleared up. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of legal crime." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Holmes' face clouded over. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." IS "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "And how did you verify them?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "An accident, I presume?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And what did you see?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must attention." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Yes, sir.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare mystery." "To an English lawyer named Norton." his face. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Eyford." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, bonnet, and went out." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Perhaps we may make them less so." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I will he say when he returns?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally forehead. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have one." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at were unconscious?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had least a most suspicious remark." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and put his glass in his pocket. "No, but the enclosure is." matter." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Well, but China?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. seem to you to be relevant or not." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. remarked. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and capable of preserving a secret.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." lamp in his hand. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else maiden herself was most instructive." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "No sign of it?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each becomes even more simple." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." helping a boy to put up the shutters. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "The decline of his fortunes, then?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it. fluttered off among the others. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Watson," he said cordially. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I