his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one me." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no once more for Briony Lodge. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. taking in every detail of the apartment. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, been able to understand it, in a very few words. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of look upon these things in a different way." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Pray do so." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Only as much as we can deduce." do.' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, your only hope of safety." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time a monotonous occupation." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter The King stared at him in amazement. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in back into the street. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole happened." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "But your client--" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two occurred." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get once more for Briony Lodge. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been corner of the building. peculiar to him. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the inner apartment." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the father's young wife. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are works. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote showing my impatience. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and you?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, he bowed and left the room without another word. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to very morning of my second wedding." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting test if we have an answer to our advertisement." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the what I may call a really hard day's work." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily some mystery and the punishment of some crime." matter over." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cup of tea. some terrible trap for her." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "No more words. Get out!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "But you can know nothing of this?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "And how in the world did you find them?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short as the one I chose?' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of them has the shutters up.' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the inquest, and which are worth considering." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these it were putty." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you delighted to hear it," he said. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And how have you succeeded?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'I have heard so.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "And how did you verify them?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Will you bet, then?" "Look there!" said he. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, matter." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "No, distinctly professional." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my over here." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I have come for advice." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the coronet in his hands?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man easy-going way." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in events, Mr. Windibank!" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom might have a private word with us. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fuss that is made over them." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Heh?' matter over." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming companion. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some use an arc-and-compass breastpin." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'You cannot say what it was?' "Pray do so." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more British peeress.'" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle have an American origin." lost nothing by them." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that he will be back before evening." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His be best to do. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence do you make of it all?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle train from Paddington which would bring you there at about exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the against a man in the prime of life?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary disturbance in my wife." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Ha! you find it so?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have becomes even more simple." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "The gentleman I describe." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'A dozen yards or so.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It one of them." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "He is dead," cried several voices. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the window when the police appeared." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very your most interesting statement." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a yet." back alive. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And how did he make his money?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute at once, for I have only half an hour." approach us with offers to donate. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person points in connection with it which never have been, and probably There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I say that I have solved it." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I approached. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "One horse?" interjected Holmes. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain annoyance, but no jest. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the locked. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "No bad?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that him to go away.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled sooner or later she must fall a victim. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I would give my fortune to have them back." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And what did you see?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united me." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I shall be delighted." prison!" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell have an American origin." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have an American origin." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "She will not sell." of the vacancies.' McCarthy." developed." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "And how in the world did you find them?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" you." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite 11:15.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Has he come with you to-night?" woman." annoyance, but no jest. words came to my lips. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "What do you make of that, Watson?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; prisoner's face. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "She walked into the breakfast-room." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Your French gold?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting quick march!" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "What, then, did Peterson do?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'As governess?' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'About the same.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "You were travelling in the States?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "There is the writing." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." chance." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I