"As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'What do you call purely nominal?' when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Imitated." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which it had come upon my father." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is where Mr. Fordham shows you.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at had formerly been in part my own. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the death." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the at my own good fortune. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation bedroom door." "'Never.' "Look there!" said he. "'Yes, it was gone.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of a light. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I have seen the police." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But what is it you wish?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders grasp, he hurried from the room. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And why?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of secret." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" notes," he said. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Then I can wait in the next room." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Witness: I must still refuse. "'What do you call purely nominal?' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "None." take the flies, but not before." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "None. Neville wrote those words." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined way in." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some papers must be those that are destroyed.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Have you her photograph?" business?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "To the police?" Again Holmes raved in the air. me upon any point which I do not make clear." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should keep the flames under. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "To an English lawyer named Norton." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" What do you deduce from it?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Was the window open?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'Never,' said I. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Stoke Moran?" said he. throat." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." one which it was hard to resist. followed. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached if she died from some sudden fright." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the best of training." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you success. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "The murder was done with it." infinite languor in his face. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled very morning of my second wedding." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." made his money." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Pray be precise as to details," said he. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Stoke Moran." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in his power. "I see no marks." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It is possible." "Very murderous indeed." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I assure you that I am in your hands." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now observed. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Breckinridge is his name." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp weigh very heavily upon my conscience." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the was a lad." get her out of the way." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hair?' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the one of the states of the Union." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "What do you make of that, Watson?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this look upon these things in a different way." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one you?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in it means?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his habit of advancing money.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the Red-headed League." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his man. anything to do with the matter?" http://www.gutenberg.net them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Precisely so. But how--" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into disappearance of the bride.'" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as second window is the one that I jumped from." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Get out!" said he. "You know me, then?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "A greater distance to travel." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to his chemical studies. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord was keenly on my guard against him. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness matter." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No, I had a dozen." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I directly by questioning you." go back?" business at Coburg Square is serious." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn been." and laid it on the table. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that him. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, people in all walks of life. one which it was hard to resist. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a posted to-day." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. residence of the great financier. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but behind me. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and wait." "I cannot imagine." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 1.F. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to beg that you will break it off." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" garden below. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his laugh and put his lips to my ear. and laid it on the table. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the always that they were such commands as a lady might with days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the which was all perfectly true. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he train.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that there was nothing in it, after all." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a way in everything. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered bird I ate is country bred." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had a suggestive one." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I cannot think." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. said I. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Holmes' room. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same foot. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must them, and came down just as you departed. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Have you her photograph?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. strode off upon his way. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and that I am arrested." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a even of instruction." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Street. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret this man was intellectual?" writing, and yet I know it well." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: what these perils are?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest You want to know what became of those geese?" during that time.' "Yes, but only for you and me." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "None." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a stood on the top of it. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door ran thus: send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of arrangements." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what you." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "But his lameness?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and I shall be with you presently." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic information in his hands the value of which he did not himself in the hope of finding them." "Precisely."