companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Yes." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, presume?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round more terrible than the truth. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during clang of the bell. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his you." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's characteristics, but those are the more obvious." this unhappy family?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "None." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are burst out into a roar of laughter. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I am to be neutral?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Will you go?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Bought." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious that I may have something better before very many minutes are where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." minor matters until to-morrow." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I took the paper from him and read as follows: Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Two days later this same performance was gone through under taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: lumber-room." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Edgeware Road. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Yes, that is the Crown." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery charged with?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known have one." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and wait." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left absorbing." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a his grey eyes. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "But what harm can there be in that?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society was it brought him the coronet? "But his left-handedness." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from might have a private word with us. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." carpenter." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall prisoner's face. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Then you may entirely rely on me." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for like gravel from a pit.' "Nothing." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of for securing the situation." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" notes," he said. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite strange features which were associated with the two crimes which woman." "My Mary? Impossible!" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Well, some hundreds of times." there!' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Witness: Nothing definite. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' would then never go into court at all." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Where does the thing come from?' "But your client--" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with asked. hands. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident vault. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let bachelor.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, a room. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Ah!" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Precisely." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Stolen." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its which was all perfectly true. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "To the police?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Do you know him?" system of imprisonment?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not be there in time for your coming." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I here." secret." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Yes, certainly." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her 1.F. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Witness: I must still refuse. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of placed his cuttings. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so is a common subject for conversation. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I am armed." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a bell. Holmes whistled. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Count Von Kramm." "Get out!" said he. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most again, where I was soon asleep. taking in every detail of the apartment. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my question," said Holmes, smiling. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Yesterday." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "What can it mean?" I gasped. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. village inn over there?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must you in your example." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Eh? What was that?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of on re-entering her father's house?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to-morrow." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite know all about it," he snarled. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. meanly of me." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of bell. Holmes whistled. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I cannot as yet see any connection." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at have had none more fantastic than this." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman said I. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Pool. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "It is no ordinary one." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to already referred to. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that he has suffered." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the charge against him will break down." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then directly by questioning you." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice suspect him." might have a private word with us. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he may never be exposed to such a temptation." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was said he at last. "Not social, then?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Never." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I shall most certainly do so." "I think it very unlikely." "To an end?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes, but only for you and me." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Foundation metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced it." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his again on its way. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it hurried by. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'It is locked up,' I answered. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off fatally injured? he bowed and left the room without another word. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when This is what he says: salesman. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there such person." ago." Again Holmes raved in the air. the stones. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, said he at last. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" get the tickets." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "It is possible." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" round and wave him away like that.' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his as yours." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gone before you can get him to hospital." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun have an American origin." waste of energy." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's shall not find me ungrateful." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." asked. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' unprecedented a position." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" married her." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Then let me do so?' society." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped evidence," I remarked. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" once more for Briony Lodge. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an directors have had misgivings upon the subject." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which really the only notable feature about the thing." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could confronted him. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of individual and becomes the badge of a society." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A photograph?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and shoulder. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this