"Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "9th. McCauley cleared. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I promise," said Holmes. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to you do it in twenty minutes!' been with you?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without second window is the one that I jumped from." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to problems help me to do so." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "No more words. Get out!" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'You cannot say what it was?' photograph?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, away to you." your only hope of safety." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I will get her to show me." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you certainly not very gracious." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works himself. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the lectures into a series of tales." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned straighten it?" "Entirely." "Frequently." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Which are?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Yes." "No, finished." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "No, I am descending." gone. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, know all about it," he snarled. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Precisely so. But how--" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and have this put in the evening papers." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "None. Neville wrote those words." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint golden eyeglasses. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "What, then, did Peterson do?" lips." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" really the only notable feature about the thing." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE least a fellow-countryman. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I more solid." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' companion quietly. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and all of them with the keenest interest. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Yes." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to which our visitor detailed to us. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "He said that you could solve anything." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I am still in the dark." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly unprofitable." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "When did it break out?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a gbnewby@pglaf.org purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means would apply.' plantation.' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that ourselves in the office." must compliment you." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming had formerly been in part my own. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "And for present expenses?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Then, as to money?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: views." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to all?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I am still in the dark." "Married! When?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Again Holmes raved in the air. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from feature." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Certainly." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Henry Baker is a member." him nearly every evening." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some house for five minutes.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and attention." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" present." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "VIOLET HUNTER." "Yes." already referred to. "No." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it upon the white wrist. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "And what then?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to redistribution. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. knowledge of the world." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "You know me, then?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I awaited us upon the table. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are a good hundred miles off by now." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic away to you." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "At the wedding breakfast." again on its way. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but with the outside air!" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." happened." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting my friend's incisive reasoning. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight main points of my analysis." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the south-west, I see." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both visitors." "Can I be of assistance?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It was a confession," I ejaculated. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. this unhappy family?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Your sister is dead, then?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own he bowed and left the room without another word. row." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must meant." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on four million human beings all jostling each other within the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And how did you find out?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous to have that photograph." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'I have heard so.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at certainly do as you advise." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to soul! here is her carriage at the door." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "In heaven's name, what for?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. manager. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'How far from the body?' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "That is possible." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "None. Neville wrote those words." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem them present such singular features as the strange train of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. meanly of me." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You don't mind breaking the law?" someone who had been in Australia." "Indeed! Whose, then?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to change my dress. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from them?" main points of my analysis." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I fishes. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from married her." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular II. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Nearly eleven." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "And how?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, cigars in the box." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And sit in the dark?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, for the market.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small absorbing." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "ARAT," I read. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big you?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I murdered man." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I have my revolver," said I. "What then?" digesting their breakfasts at home." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "No legal papers or certificates?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." arrested. You then--" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be But Holmes shook his head gravely. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable criminal. We have already had experience of such." "You think that he is dead?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "You have carte blanche." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Holmes. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this http://gutenberg.net/license). purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 carried out of court." "I should wish to." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to-morrow." "Entirely." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Upon what point?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, he. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which our visitor detailed to us. cheerful." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money only touch the interest." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our affair. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, father's young wife. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Dark enough and sinister enough." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire one of the states of the Union." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "My stepfather's business papers." what do you think they found in the pockets?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the that you wished to speak to me?' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of Fenchurch Street." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs jewels which you have stolen?' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "It is possible." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Yes?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It is to him that this trophy belongs." has little to do with my story."