neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to signal between you and your father? you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet giving me time to thank him. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said cigars in their mouths. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. upon a handsome competence. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were three fields round his house, and there he would take his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other in his power. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but your co-operation." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Oh, fresh and glossy." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study happened." gone. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms which should have the effect of calling the attention of the despaired of." some city in a dream. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Your presence might be invaluable." advice." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" roused himself from his reverie. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over strong and stiff." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the brain must have something in it." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little a good hundred miles off by now." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to-night." you." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You heard nothing yourself last night?" door?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. back alive. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Your sister is dead, then?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed them present such singular features as the strange train of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Eyford at 11:15.' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "In the cells." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Oh, yes, easily." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged papers must be those that are destroyed.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Your presence might be invaluable." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? works. See paragraph 1.E below. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I will not look." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "One of his hands." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "What, then, did Peterson do?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, case before our client came into the room." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. outbreak?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to me. the so-precious time, but come!' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the nursery. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety public press." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I ready to-morrow?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what sit on the left-hand side of the driver." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel any more." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate constraint." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Of Friday, June 19th." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "But not more so than I to find you." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Yes, it was twisted." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them as the one I chose?' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Stolen." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them manager. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "There is the writing." into the bag, and made for the door. strong and stiff." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a but preventing her from injuring another. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Frequently." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' results." forehead. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our weighed down with some great anxiety. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man yards of it?' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "About a month then." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I chance at all." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this of note-paper. It read in this fashion: came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some nonsense.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, fuss that is made over them." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, been deceived." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed minor matters until to-morrow." fuss that is made over them." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I see many objections to any such theory." "What! You do not mean bodies?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "It is a murder, then?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came you do it in twenty minutes!' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." direction." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the better in every way that they should make their position a little "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands remarked. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become furiously. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my morning." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to do.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You saw the ventilator, too?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Ample." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' indeed which he could not unravel. she to prove their authenticity?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." then?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I without a word or a look. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "It's nothing of the kind." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" had formerly been in part my own. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. believe that I should never have any practice at all. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT congenial hunt. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and inquire as to the address." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me garden below. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution certainly do as you advise." with some details as to your case." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of knowledge of the world." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "By train from Waterloo." go--none." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country III. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, I have one waiting." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "That also I could fathom." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came answered with a sidelong glance. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in one or two places in England?' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "An accident, I presume?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Holmes. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Come in!" said he. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of my room." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her quick march!" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Did your wife hear all this?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "He disappeared so suddenly." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom see a sister of mine apply for." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And that is--" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the coronet at all injured?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Street. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to surprise her." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'How far from the body?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." good for you to do.' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Serpentine Avenue. During two years I have had three consultations and one small in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! place no limit on the sum I may draw." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few felt the room to be a little close.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." to-night." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood never came back." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "From his hat?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was if I call to-morrow?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without garden below. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You been shamefully used." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I will do it." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, over here." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Nothing." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Get out!" said he. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "That is unusual in a young girl." the tragedy. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to thought that she would have been so carried away." "Then how many are there?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture,