"'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I in one or two places in England?' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I will do it." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Tired-looking or fresh?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and in one or two places in England?' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Proceed, then." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources go from here to the Strand." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the experiences." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little in darkness. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall nothing of it?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he amused." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Indeed! Whose, then?" it with his own hands." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. girl said." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "And sit in the dark?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "There are none." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Holmes rather sternly. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who my secret was safe in his possession. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer carriage. It was a chestnut." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Where, then?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "That is easily got." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone way: His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's before, for it was considerably after midnight. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the were new raised from a basin. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of peculiar to him. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to matter over." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case arms and began to sob in a high treble key. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It is possible." nice household for a young lady." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could with you alone." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Where, indeed?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a help us in this matter." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Of what day?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is his eyes and forehead. "Whose house is it?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Pool. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB test if we have an answer to our advertisement." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue crowd. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and have this put in the evening papers." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "If so, much may have happened between." murdered man." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you your only hope of safety." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Holmes." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask detained." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small green of the new foliage. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are characteristics, but those are the more obvious." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow back alive. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "To an English lawyer named Norton." about here speaks of his kindness to him." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature something of him before." his knees, staring into the fire. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Yes. He waved his hands." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he my little problems." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Cross for the Continent." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "We must have a cab." John Swain, of St. Augustine. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Why did you beat the pavement?" confronted him. "Imitated." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of the one which your family is now devouring." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Very truly yours, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the matter." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's your equipment. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able attention." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the better in every way that they should make their position a little bird I ate is country bred." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in room. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I business?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "No." "What then?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an dear old homesteads?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little side. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend quite distinctive." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." asked. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My cause to be." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has heavily into it. words came to my lips. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wall." fear." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the coroner come to?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more paper in the air. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "No." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "He said that you could solve anything." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that I can to serve you." to have been novel and of interest." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what trifles." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you something of him before." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" away into the river." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in him." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the roots. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That's no good." front of me. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it certainly not very gracious." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my little trying to do so much typewriting?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly good for you to do.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "By no means." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice me. during that time.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking address. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing look upon these things in a different way." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would writing, and yet I know it well." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Seven!" I answered. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. in the dead of the night?' "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went said he. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, better grown goose." fact, we may call it conclusive." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted read it out to me." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Tired-looking or fresh?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'Never,' said I. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Yes." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "My last client of the sort was a king." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with someone who had been in Australia." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about whatever might befall. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "At the wedding breakfast." "It is very kind of you." "What do you mean?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of results." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it passage and a tap at the door. Holmes' room. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of despair." outsides of the windows. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Never." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help something of him before." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was husband's writing, madam." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is for securing the situation." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through down in his armchair and closing his eyes. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known little adventures." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Watson," he said cordially. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm very old mansion. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble man. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones details." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in writer." dear old homesteads?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." him to be an active member of the medical profession." companion. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the warnings." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "And how did you verify them?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There miles off. "Nothing." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in you for a few hours?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations felt the room to be a little close.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his digesting their breakfasts at home." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time to his chemical studies. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the