"'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have hereditary King of Bohemia." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Holmes' face clouded over. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When place of silver." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you retorted upon me, and I on you." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously drawing your inferences." "I am about to be married." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Not social, then?" you, my dear young lady?' shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Then I do not see the point." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance have accepted such a situation. my little problems." murdered man." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the child." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "A call for help, you thought?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Not yet." where she found matters as described by the last witness. dear old homesteads?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the his fortune, and I went back to pa. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Why, it's a dummy," said he. business." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny humiliation." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching that threaten you." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "The doctor?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I say that I have solved it." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. I think that I could be of assistance to you." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to surprise her." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I say it is." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "And why in hopes?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The not interfere, come what may. You understand?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "The landlord of the Alpha." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Sutherland. "No more words. Get out!" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I cannot think." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I cannot tell." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square said Mr. Holder. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He take the flies, but not before." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of Mr. Rucastle's." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and outsides of the windows. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, sooner or later she must fall a victim. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and a shock of very red hair. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my more terrible than the truth. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and capable of preserving a secret.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and laid it on the table. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. arrangements." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Never." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "To an English lawyer named Norton." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "It is possible." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the devil!" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'I shall certainly be there.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to death." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Very good.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "None. Neville wrote those words." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking galvanised. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, them?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. do." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "My dear Holmes!" instituted." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Was there a secret marriage?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your 11:15.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, distinguish the words: of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, know all about it," he snarled. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "To an end?" Chief Executive and Director "Pray do so." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything were wasted." interests were the same as his." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the Red-headed League." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have tear off another piece?' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "And help." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "How can you tell that?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Nothing?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our security.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional lost nothing by them." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Never." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What office?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, that he has suffered." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I cannot think." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "What, then, did Peterson do?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Count Von Kramm." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to out." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Holmes' room. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and all of them with the keenest interest. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I would give my fortune to have them back." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I was concerned in it." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Nothing." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you chemical work which was so dear to him. of the way of danger. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them guilty parties." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. results." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I leave." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Again Holmes raved in the air. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and it were putty." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Awake, Watson?" he asked. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his forehead. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very himself to tell his story. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to against a man in the prime of life?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of stammered. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and father's young wife. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen within hail.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which believe that I should never have any practice at all. legal crime." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "But what will you do?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his companion quietly. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Then you may entirely rely on me." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Pope's Court. "You have a clue?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right my room." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I don't believe it." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "ARAT," I read. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Then what has happened to him?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to-night." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "There is the writing." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'Certainly not.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wedding?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and placed his cuttings. cigars in their mouths. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door populous neighbourhood." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced colour had been driven from his face. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked him to be an active member of the medical profession." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'And what salary do you ask?' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a weapon." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a despaired of." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hands. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "No." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Where did he live, then?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "So I have heard." investigation." hurried by. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Proceed, then." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his a room. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, here and I will read it to you: Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the speckled band?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and redistribution. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no cigars in their mouths. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Young McCarthy must be got off, however." happened." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see voice. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few my former friend and companion. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become what I may call a really hard day's work." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been thought that she would have been so carried away." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary with the outside air!" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do