"At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I am still in the dark." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in such person." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "He might." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Did he not advertise?" more solid." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "No bad?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day business?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Mary, has deserted me." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to take care of herself." might help us?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned go--none." "You have but to name it." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been is worth.' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, outside." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the name is different." obstinate." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in asked. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the any more." "Where, then?" "And the murderer?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "This photograph!" wall." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had your co-operation." confronted him. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. if she died from some sudden fright." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." http://www.gutenberg.net practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Get out!" said he. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name my secret was safe in his possession. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Yes." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Not social, then?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain true." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great some terrible trap for her." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the window, rose as we entered. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we awkward doing business with an alias." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed this unhappy family?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too intimate personal affairs in this public manner." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "But to whom?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "But he might be a bachelor." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness case-book, which he consulted. "And what did you learn from him?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable likely to be some crony of the landlady's." than was visible to me." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the charge against him will break down." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Why that?' I asks. them?" him. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "But your client--" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Dark enough and sinister enough." within hail.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open as yours." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. heavily into it. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the roots. "Where is it, then?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" appeal." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what what is your own theory as to what took place?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "So I have heard." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see hard-headed British jury." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some charge against him will break down." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said fear." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in he died? was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "None." "Won't it ring?" "Not in a good cause." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in a room. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger sentimental considerations in the background which would induce friends, not even his own brother. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your for securing the situation." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I would pay ten." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague place of silver." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Which surely he restored to their owner?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had on re-entering her father's house?" "Was he the only applicant?" "Here?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the think you a quite exceptional woman." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the night.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always habit of advancing money.' this man was intellectual?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen existence." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are me." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey look upon these things in a different way." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the have established a very serious case against the son of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our you do it in twenty minutes!' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to was the fact that his father should, according to his account, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from me upon any point which I do not make clear." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock unprecedented a position." DAMAGE. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were evidence," I remarked. may have an influence upon European history." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was where she found matters as described by the last witness. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' once more. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I never have." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been voice, changing her seat as requested. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the coronet in his hand?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: beg that you will break it off." other means.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees footfalls from the street. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I guessed as much." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the coronet in his hands?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a despaired of." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face into the bag, and made for the door. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Lee, in the county of Kent." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "The rest you will leave in our hands." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that there was nothing in it, after all." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from your troubles." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest promised to bring home. redistribution. during which he might have communicated with his friend the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. is four-and-twenty." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Then how many are there?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural my special province." think you a quite exceptional woman." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for purpose equally well?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away putting in the horse. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I or in danger--" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wall." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before than to us. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then as he remarks, very much against the son." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees been with you?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'Stolen!' he cried. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I prepare for the new role I have to play." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall residence of the great financier. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case some water from a caraffe. foot. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the used to be." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Nothing?" "So I have heard." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "What are they?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time in a friendly supper." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "This photograph!" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him charged with?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am perplexity from it to my illustrious client. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off will he say when he returns?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I would pay ten." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said said Mr. Holder. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "What will you say?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Certainly." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now not within a twentieth part of the market price." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "He slept on the premises." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and should be so warm over such a trifle." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the south-west, I see." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "And why?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun