Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences wedding?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "What are they?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. himself. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the once more. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "One?" hurried by. I shall communicate with you." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with secret." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager your most interesting statement." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "What, then, did Peterson do?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these be.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up child?' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster politicians who had been sent down from the North. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the driver. "Yes, certainly." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "My dear Holmes!" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "He is still with you, I presume?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all vanished into the darkness. "It missed him, then?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Very. But will he see it?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. will take you up to see the machine.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "None." "And on what day did he meet his death?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind acted in my house last night?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Then I can wait in the next room." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of note-paper. It read in this fashion: yet." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Then you may be so with me." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Yes, he did." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An union?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And help." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper one or two very singular points about this room. For example, success. Holmes rather sternly. relief. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "One of the highest in England." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. could go. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside asked. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the prisoner's face. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." opened the door, and slipped through. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Certainly." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that there." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it right.' it." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What! Had he lost his wife?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of together. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of best detective that ever lived. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in not interfere, come what may. You understand?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the despaired of." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Where does the thing come from?' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her as this. Pray let me have the details." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name chair. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would there is a decided draught." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back footfalls from the street. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads recover the gem." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the house with me." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and fled together." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the charge against him will break down." some water from a caraffe. "What! a murderous attack?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case charged with?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the very letters. But what is this written above them?' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Stolen!' he cried. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "And from a noble client?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "What then?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents lost his Christmas dinner." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical from you?" went to the Alpha were town bred." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he lumber-room." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "But your client--" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And how did he make his money?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Does that suggest anything?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, or in danger--" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will one of them." in the dead of the night?' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Nothing?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "It's nothing of the kind." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to have been novel and of interest." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Always." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Have you her photograph?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the house with me." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to wedding?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" thirty. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' III. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have fish-monger and a tide-waiter." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Get out!" said he. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And why in hopes?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "But what will you do?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I will, Miss Turner." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "You have it, sir, just as it happened." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Where to?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her were new raised from a basin. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "You have but to name it." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'You cannot say what it was?' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and six. Come in!" "And leave your case unfinished?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat brandy and water within his reach. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "If so, much may have happened between." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the general public were present, then?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his is so. I know all about McCarthy." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Breckinridge is his name." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons IS may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" his huge brown hands. himself in a perplexing position. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I say it is." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Certainly not. But why?' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped lips." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I shall communicate with you." salesman. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Is purely nominal.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the correct than the official force." "I have come for advice." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Has he come with you to-night?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows are windows in it, of course?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most sufficient punishment." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "That's no good." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Where does the thing come from?' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "It is possible." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in the dead of the night?' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my a few minutes he said that it would be all right. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he foot. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "That was it, sir." politicians who had been sent down from the North. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had lectures into a series of tales." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Where is it, then?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who enter into my head. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time you understand?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "A greater distance to travel." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, you in your example." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between than to us. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and appeal." "Was she in good spirits?" not, dad?" she asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fattened it expressly for you.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I think that I could be of assistance to you." an introduction to him?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have envelope. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I have my revolver," said I. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against