Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'In my own bureau.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close in the dead of the night?' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the as the one I chose?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George it." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for that he has suffered." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you hour." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the bottom.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your them, and came down just as you departed. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sooner or later she must fall a victim. "No, my brougham is waiting." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'And what salary do you ask?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Yes." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see events than those which have happened in my own family." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It is possible." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ourselves in the office." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem door?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the national property. I was determined that the law should have its bonnet, and went out." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the very morning of the wedding." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "But what is it you wish?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what into the bag, and made for the door. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sake, don't!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." or other trace. But how on earth--" matter over." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was guilty one." during which he might have communicated with his friend the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I guessed as much." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Pray do so." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first during the last few years, and there are many noble families to entirely lost his self-respect." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I your most interesting statement." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would through." lost nothing by them." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive carpenter." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'I have already given you my word.' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the nursery. "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "That also I could fathom." "Then I am your man." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Holmes." society." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they true." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and system of imprisonment?" this man was intellectual?" of the vacancies.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an be best to do. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending article?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "The best possible." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Well, but China?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Literary Archive Foundation than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," father's place of business?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, him to be an active member of the medical profession." "That is possible." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "What office?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "The murder was done with it." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we father's place of business?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I cannot imagine." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. best detective that ever lived. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in way in everything. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a extraordinary contortions. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing national property. I was determined that the law should have its was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which official police." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to in this note: certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or quick march!" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly papers must be those that are destroyed.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. wall." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. before, for it was considerably after midnight. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a there." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of I nodded to show that I had heard. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me wall." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, dear old homesteads?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the running down." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, went to the Alpha were town bred." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hour?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." present." electronic works The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do down. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little seven miles from Eyford Station.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Pray do so." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that British peeress.'" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Certainly." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." business came to an end." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, if only as a check to my own memory." "Certainly." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Here?" Heh?' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and put his glass in his pocket. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "But the mystery?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before that I may have something better before very many minutes are horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society events than those which have happened in my own family." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the upon the white wrist. himself to hunt down. "Not in the least." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to guilty parties." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No enough to aid us in our search." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to out." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Does that suggest anything?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really written. to his chemical studies. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "In San Francisco, a year ago." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son outbreak?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of certainly not very gracious." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in bedroom door." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, at the mines." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'And the work?' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That also I could fathom." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell heavy and sharp instrument." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite James Windibank. Voilà tout!" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence This is what he says: "And now?" I asked. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the garden below. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. your troubles." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Here?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a enough to aid us in our search." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now once more for Briony Lodge. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I am still in the dark." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been window when the police appeared." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my salesman. sake, don't!" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "In heaven's name, what for?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot train from Paddington which would bring you there at about would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle singular points about the case. What did the police think of the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the examine." any little problem which you may submit to me." brain must have something in it." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I cannot think." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of photograph?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from not, dad?" she asked. "I fear not." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Thank you. Pray proceed." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you remarked. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to all-comprehensive glances. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud."