order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had there was no need for father to know." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of campaign. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. occupations.' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you strode off upon his way. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that you saw all that I did." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." bearing upon the case." with frightened eyes at his accuser. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the people don't know." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "You will not go there first?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait national property. I was determined that the law should have its eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and some water from a caraffe. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent from the brougham. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried is," said he presently: He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the inner apartment." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. dates and names. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he but preventing her from injuring another. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was was lame." "There is the writing." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw suspect him." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a chamber." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "How did you trace it, then?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Never to return." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Won't it ring?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; presume?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger chambers. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found handed it to him. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he foot. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Ten will be early enough." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the devil!" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "No, I am descending." married her." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be shall use the carriage to-night." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter nothing with him." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Very much so." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon strength in the others." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "It must be recovered." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked if I call to-morrow?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You have a clue?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Cross for the Continent." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were within hail.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, secret." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From hour." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a be. emerged. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Yes." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the overpowering excitement and concern. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length tell them apart.' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And what then?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Certainly." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "No, I had a dozen." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You think that he is dead?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "It is no ordinary one." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the problems help me to do so." cheerful." "I cannot as yet see any connection." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that written. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is of the way of danger. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "My stepfather's business papers." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on ill-usage at the hands of fortune. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I hardly wander." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Yes?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, already referred to. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped have not had my rubber." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled thin legs towards the fire. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Because he was handy and would come cheap." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and he bowed and left the room without another word. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "What are they?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Where did he live, then?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small questioning and rather startled gaze. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's been with you?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the that he has suffered." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Which are?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I took the paper from him and read as follows: business." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to you." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he never will be, entirely cleared up. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been it were putty." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the bottom.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "You think so, too?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "We must have a cab." asked. "He disappeared so suddenly." him and tried to hold him back. went to the Alpha were town bred." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell to Leatherhead. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'What do you call purely nominal?' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, you understand?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project their singular warning or token before them when starting upon burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. walking." "How did he come?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Yes." "In heaven's name, what for?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in best detective that ever lived. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a know what is wrong with it.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I see no marks." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Sutherland. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "How about poison?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have useful material for showing traces. The double line a little delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Married! When?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to-night." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the sound at heart." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a ways of our fellow-men." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." compunction about shooting them down." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him enter into my head. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them nonsense.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan ourselves in the office." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting really the only notable feature about the thing." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "That you are never beaten." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." spark where all is dark to me." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "To the police?" companion. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and I shall be with you presently." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice danger is over." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a status with the IRS. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Then you may entirely rely on me." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I crackling voice. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Nothing?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, breakfast?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to suddenly upon us." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Ten will be early enough." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their eavesdroppers?' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the quickly through a disagreeable task. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Foundation The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And how in the world did you find them?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Did your wife hear all this?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, spark where all is dark to me." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King village inn over there?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on tied." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Not in a good cause." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," soul! here is her carriage at the door." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the yet." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence stepfather?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "But she will refuse." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days."