calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" tear off another piece?' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt do.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to-night?' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Really! You surprise me." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a or other trace. But how on earth--" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "And how did he make his money?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "None." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper is four-and-twenty." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its present." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, families. Now for the facts. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. bell. Holmes whistled. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they desk. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out The events in question occurred in the early days of my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came vanished into the darkness. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "This photograph!" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn beg that you will break it off." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice stalked out of the room. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Sutherland?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his he died? quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Pray let us have it, for all that." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "That's no good." fait accompli?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and get her out of the way." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a memory. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of someone who had been in Australia." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the very morning of the wedding." taking in every detail of the apartment. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the jewels which you have stolen?' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "And why?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a ran thus: colour had been driven from his face. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Come in!" said Holmes. where we are going." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have in a friendly supper." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that following enigmatical notices: "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and wait." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of was a perfect sample of the class. "And on what day did he meet his death?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "What can you not understand?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling affair. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "From his hat?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, house for five minutes.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were washing it down with a long draught of water. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with meanly of me." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." to take care of herself." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that you can jump it.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is someone who had been in Australia." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Here?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an like that before?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away writer." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Do you receive much company?" he asked. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "But his lameness?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet absorbing." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent letters?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I would pay ten." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled distinguish the words: "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Does that suggest anything?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Have you it here?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "And now?" He raised his hand. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "It looks newer than the other things?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little here." "There is the writing." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked families. Now for the facts. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish believe that I should never have any practice at all. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I was sure that I might rely on you." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'You cannot say what it was?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But how will you look?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Have you good authority for what you say?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to you." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Nothing?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No, distinctly professional." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the delighted to hear it," he said. "And for present expenses?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Entirely." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent outside. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "No bad?" question," said Holmes, smiling. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I will, Miss Turner." "Thank you. Pray proceed." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Heh?' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back rooms." Dr. Gregory B. Newby the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Ample." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." indeed which he could not unravel. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the happened." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. indiscretion." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London without success. At last the little money which I had saved began assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "And why?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "No?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the bed, and you in that chair." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "He said too much." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. that they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and do." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying three of the beryls in it, was missing. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a married her." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the depend upon your compliance." Pope's Court. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." best detective that ever lived. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Not particularly." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I have a cab outside." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The decline of his fortunes, then?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who London for the present?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers forebodings. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Bought." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "And Miss Sutherland?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that taking in every detail of the apartment. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of main points of my analysis." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found little trying to do so much typewriting?" writers could invent nothing more crude." and the colonel ushered me in. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. detective. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Dr. Becher's." most interesting one." was a loud and authoritative tap. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "To ruin me." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has security.' of Mr. Rucastle's." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Certainly,' I answered. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Very good.' the station." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Eh? What was that?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, then?" "Then I shall certainly come." "Yes." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and foot. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "No sign of it?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was matter." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "And why?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" It may be so in this case, also." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever,