near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I with the outside air!" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place touch that coronet?' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester note?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "By all means." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I train.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to me. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "No." house for five minutes.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Really! You surprise me." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Witness: I must still refuse. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Ha! you find it so?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I will get her to show me." to change my dress. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." shall use the carriage to-night." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss bonnet, and went out." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. following enigmatical notices: lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a good hundred miles off by now." coroner's jury." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as dead, shall be safe with us." pierced for earrings?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Leadenhall Street--and--" tear off another piece?' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by light and attacked it." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "But I am all in the dark." During two years I have had three consultations and one small down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see chair. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "At what time?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while province." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "An accident, I presume?" if I call to-morrow?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Holmes' thin, eager face. back into the street. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Serpentine Avenue. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, this remarkable episode. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as is four-and-twenty." "'Quite sure, dad.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I am to be neutral?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might of Mr. Rucastle's." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood danger is over." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "You will not go there first?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of upon the sideboard." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the devil!" closely." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Holmes' face clouded over. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little not fit the lock." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you, my dear young lady?' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll writing, and yet I know it well." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "He is still with you, I presume?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The rest you will leave in our hands." electronic works of the vacancies.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil chill to my heart. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Come in!" said he. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. than was visible to me." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to-morrow." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "May I see it?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to begun to whiten, even as mine has." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in again on its way. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not disturbance in my wife." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. business matters.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Then I do not see the point." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "None." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I guessed as much." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the loss of it. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if lumber-room." hair?' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At out of this horrible affair." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever remarked. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'What do you call purely nominal?' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as arrangements." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I guessed as much." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of bedroom door." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her bled considerably." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man passage and a tap at the door. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Well, some hundreds of times." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You have carte blanche." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Yes. He waved his hands." "I am sure." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. stammered. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It is no ordinary one." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked tail." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End there in twenty minutes." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call directors, with the result that you have seen." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "VIOLET HUNTER." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you advice." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "The landlord of the Alpha." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "The Cedars?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which ill-usage at the hands of fortune. which are rolled in Rotterdam." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Nearly eleven." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter conversation I have gathered that they have been married about transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and glanced through. are, I think, all that we need." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked works. See paragraph 1.E below. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "My dear Holmes!" "'Yes, sir.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." "So I have heard." "Nothing." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in this way: age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the questioning and rather startled gaze. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a breakfast?" his wife has ceased to love him." DAMAGE. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. sound at heart." thought that she would have been so carried away." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Perhaps I have." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding held up the lantern and gazed about him. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "The best possible." II. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Dr. Becher's." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the enough to aid us in our search." to arrive at through this?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I beg pardon." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I see no marks." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Thank you. And your address?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the meant it for the best. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly security.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You heard nothing yourself last night?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea American. Then who could this American be, and why should he gives a meaning to it." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding fishes. "I cannot think." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a had a long day." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but me." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was front of me. notes," he said. "Stoke Moran?" said he. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are