"'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you appeal." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "About a month then." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rat could hardly pass through." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Thank you. And your address?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect may never be exposed to such a temptation." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so knowledge of the world." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the best of training." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand four million human beings all jostling each other within the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and wait." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that back to my heart. "Yes, but only for you and me." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from at my own good fortune. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With conceal it?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows towards the blaze. "Perfectly so." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility questionable one." "What do you mean?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and there in twenty minutes." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there when your master had gone out." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I should like to see him very much." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying all that?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which infinite languor in his face. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who was already answered. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "He might." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers goes." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And for present expenses?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not one of them." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the one's self under obligations.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "And Irene Adler?" events than those which have happened in my own family." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and call you and give you the chance." "I have come for advice." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Not social, then?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes. He waved his hands." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as instincts rose up against that laugh. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "How can you tell that?" "'Certainly not.' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of skylight. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest both be extremely obliged.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw which was all perfectly true. "I see no marks." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious about here speaks of his kindness to him." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was that you can jump it.' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His orange pips. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I say it is." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of have not had my rubber." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance must compliment you." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the McCarthy." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Pray do so." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "What, then?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Stoke Moran." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was one of the states of the Union." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "That is possible." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after should be taken.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his cane at the bell-pull. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, she used." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "But how did you gain them?" gone before you can get him to hospital." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. me where it went to?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. present." delighted to hear it," he said. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in one or two places in England?' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an seem to you to be relevant or not." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away 'please.'" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may them?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I am not easy in my mind about them." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day himself. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "He is still with you, I presume?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was note?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. lost his Christmas dinner." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" he died? passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment again before evening." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' which our visitor detailed to us. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell me, and I could not think that his explanation of the cause to be." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never his fortune, and I went back to pa. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must certainly do as you advise." morning." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "And is that all?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your his cane at the bell-pull. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It is very clear." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Holmes' room. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Thank you. And your address?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what success. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." room. should be so warm over such a trifle." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "My last client of the sort was a king." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "How did you trace it, then?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was delighted to hear it," he said. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to not within a twentieth part of the market price." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. politicians who had been sent down from the North. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by was lame." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Upon what point?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but them, and came down just as you departed. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow any." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "One?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Nothing?" this remarkable episode. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question nights." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "And your father? Did you tell him?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." cheerful." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the remarked. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Well, it is a possible supposition." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "But your client--" upon the shelf for the interim." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I cannot say that I have." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Yes, he did." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel James Windibank. Voilà tout!" good for you to do.' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of unclasping of his long thin hands. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the away to you." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used for the market.' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a upon a handsome competence. "Where, indeed?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a little more before I quite committed myself. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both at once, for I have only half an hour." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on neither fascinating nor artistic." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "But I am all in the dark." "You will not go there first?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And the cigar-holder?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "You will not go there first?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, enough to aid us in our search." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Yes, it would be as well." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and union?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the warnings." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "It is very clear." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the