"Nothing." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and the colonel ushered me in. "'Quite sure, dad.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some you do it in twenty minutes!' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself writers could invent nothing more crude." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And you thought he was pulled back?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham he bowed and left the room without another word. has little to do with my story." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me him to be an active member of the medical profession." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "But his lameness?" a room. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that he has suffered." take the flies, but not before." "And how did you verify them?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and front of me. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "And when will you call?" papers." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Never." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a it right.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "And you thought he was pulled back?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the address that was given us in the advertisement. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over standing smiling on the door-step. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Will you bet, then?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Never." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the beg that you will break it off." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, paper in the air. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "A confidential servant?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his easy-going way." the station." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the side-table." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." promised to bring home. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It is solved." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Get out!" said he. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the bottom.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Where, then?" be.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It is very clear." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It is solved." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his forehead." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of room. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an hardly wander." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom chamber." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from extraordinary contortions. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of looking up at the numbers of the houses." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "At what time?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left said he. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. situation." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated have accepted such a situation. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at may have an influence upon European history." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to father's place of business?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of for the market.' hour?' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's questionable one." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, of this gang." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Holmes." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in his hands." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and forehead. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's father's place of business?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." might help us?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I have my revolver," said I. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Could he throw no light?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers fire. You quite follow me?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that once more. laugh and put his lips to my ear. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be shoulder. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting until night should bring an explanation. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "What! a murderous attack?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'And what salary do you ask?' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes, at the mines." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "And now?" I asked. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It is very kind of you." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to with some details as to your case." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Certainly,' I answered. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the or in danger--" prison!" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "You have carte blanche." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "He might." hurried away. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke keep the flames under. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small touch that coronet?' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, gentleman's clothes. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "But how?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I know where it is." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "On the contrary, this is the right side." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. straighten it?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer he bowed and left the room without another word. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Only as much as we can deduce." "But how?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Yes." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Certainly, madam." she might be summoned. furiously. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will keep the flames under. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Never.' 'please.'" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a national property. I was determined that the law should have its course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Where, then, is my wife?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Yes, at the mines." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes, it would be as well." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "No, distinctly professional." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on closely." present." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have of campaign. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Farm upon the left." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent hair?' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Well?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." said he. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Absolutely?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, should be so warm over such a trifle." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal too. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His she might be summoned. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, would then never go into court at all." handed it to him. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose that you can jump it.' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until in the hope of finding them." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "What, then?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that through." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "How did you trace it, then?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and capable of preserving a secret.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "But to whom?" him nearly every evening." outside. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Is 4 pounds a week.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a my special province." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and said Mr. Holder. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And that is--" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The pictures, libraries, or plate. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to go back?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and or in danger--" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Never." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "At what time?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'There is a drive, then?' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would success. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This attention." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I see no marks." your own bird, so if you wish--" daring than any effort of the imagination." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "And sit in the dark?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a there." washing it down with a long draught of water. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." when you have done it." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Pray let us have it, for all that." the very morning of the wedding." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" brandy and water within his reach. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "What of the rat, then?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "It is possible." "And is that all?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "No sign of it?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary my room." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to arrested. You then--" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands legal crime." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat like that before?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "But you were on a friendly footing?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Clair, of Lee." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by depend upon my doing so.'