wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Ah!" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' purpose of examination. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person learned something! Where are the gems?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same affection." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me where it went to?" nonsense.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and all of them with the keenest interest. must compliment you." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Indeed! Whose, then?" it. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "But of what society?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the outside." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which salesman. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. to-night's adventure." "How on earth--" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "No, my brougham is waiting." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked congenial hunt. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Sutherland?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "But your client--" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an memory. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out away to you." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Game for a morning drive?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But how did you gain them?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." affair. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his do.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin present." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the loss of it. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough lumber-room." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." an introduction to him?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on have not had my rubber." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "What do you make of that, Watson?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a question. fire. You quite follow me?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I would pay ten." "I fear not." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I will try. What is it?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "An accident, I presume?" think that he is innocent?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid night.' said he. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "An enemy?" "'Stolen!' he cried. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the so far?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two what is your own theory as to what took place?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking wanted for ourselves." conceal it?" indeed happy." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "We must have a cab." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "What can you not understand?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is I held the little printed slip to the light. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over prison!" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon ourselves in the office." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Is purely nominal.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "How did that help you?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "When did she vanish, then?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Quite so. She has her freedom." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "But the mystery?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if locked. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you strode off upon his way. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I promise," said Holmes. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "To an end?" definite end. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is third from London." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "How often?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take cost them two and thirty pounds." peculiar to him. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "What then?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To outside." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram in his hands." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I have come for advice." dear old homesteads?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "No. What a strange idea!" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "By all means." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Could he throw no light?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sparkled upon his finger. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Why did you beat the pavement?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did how narrow had been my escape. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Holmes." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than is now desirous of getting those letters back." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the upon the sideboard." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I shall communicate with you." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of might help us?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Precisely." of your young ladies.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic could not account in any way for the presence of the missing station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The quickly through a disagreeable task. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Nothing." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Not in a good cause." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander foot. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yesterday." "But his lameness?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at man. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "How on earth--" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the warnings." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Which are?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I think it very unlikely." "Ha! you find it so?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I giving me time to thank him. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I. "Very much so." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter any more." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish very morning of my second wedding." I have it here in my museum." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Never,' said I. villagers almost as much as their master. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Farm upon the left." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce have been better. It is all right." "No bad?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "So I am. Very much so." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Where does the thing come from?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. yards of it?' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I think it very unlikely." "Precisely." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Which are?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than of it with the greatest attention. "To the police?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most train.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up young Openshaw's." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was indeed which he could not unravel. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they leaning back in his chair. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a with you?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing daring than any effort of the imagination." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Thank you. And your address?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of it with the greatest attention. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his very old mansion. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very started for the Temple to see my husband. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." prison!" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning shoulder; "he's all right." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the digesting their breakfasts at home." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Just look it up, then." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which morning." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, call the police, let the police find what they can.' the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" ran thus: 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. yourselves in at night?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest up a scent, and then turned upon my companion.