the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Game for a morning drive?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "No." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her straightened it out again. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Lee, in the county of Kent." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I will do it." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp there in twenty minutes." at my own good fortune. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing should be so warm over such a trifle." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout be best to do. "'I am sure if I had known--' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the The King stared at him in amazement. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "My own seal." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in conceal it?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, speckled band?" chance." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and shall probably return to London by the evening train." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in overpowering excitement and concern. the morning and make my own way in the world.' hands. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "But what harm can there be in that?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a important." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not hair?' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a returning from some small jollification and was making his way more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is asked. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the attention." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' memory. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any union?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Sutherland?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Then how many are there?" I held the little printed slip to the light. "What! Had he lost his wife?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Game for a morning drive?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I am all attention, madam." round and wave him away like that.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An allusion to a rat. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. through." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, thirty. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "That is it on the dressing-table." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in made him keep the appointment." But Holmes shook his head gravely. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed confronted him. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he records." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the matters immensely." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in detained." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'There is a drive, then?' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "What! You do not mean bodies?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "We must have a cab." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the so-precious time, but come!' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no The King stared at him in amazement. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But how?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst nothing with him." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other fatally injured? running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of the way of danger. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his father's young wife. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "No, distinctly professional." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it arrangements." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of shoulder. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was strength in the others." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I cannot tell." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I don't believe it." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the third from London." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Entirely." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the know that the truth is known." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and the whole place is in a blaze." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "The rest you will leave in our hands." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the occurred." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Where, then, is my wife?" infinite languor in his face. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. in the port of London." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard very peculiar words of the dying woman?" I shall continue with my miserable story. "I see no marks." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a beg that you will break it off." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the side. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was go back?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment into the room. "But what harm can there be in that?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the matter." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a good hundred miles off by now." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. drove away. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel mystery may be cleared along those lines." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their in one or two places in England?' passage and a tap at the door. the running down." British peeress.'" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in of the vacancies.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Holmes, the busybody!" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons learned something! Where are the gems?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I dear old homesteads?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the coronet in his hands?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an always that they were such commands as a lady might with step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "There is the writing." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "What?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and man. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "When did she vanish, then?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with could not have written that. It is the German who is so at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Yes." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And who is her maid?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? be there in time for your coming." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of opportunities to fix the problem. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Do you go out much in society?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Pray let us have it, for all that." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. stammered. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid your bag." yet." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Yes, from Horsham." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It was." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this in darkness. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it lectures into a series of tales." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'And the work?' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a window when the police appeared." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the sufficient punishment." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of conceal it?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." companion quietly. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, standing smiling on the door-step. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of your young ladies.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "There are none." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked to you." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Precisely." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt disappearance of the bride.'" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "He slept on the premises." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say closely." "Yes, the wine-cellar." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the all that?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a views." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "That sounds a little paradoxical." and it need not interfere very much with one's other time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of than to us. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." intrusion of other matters." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "No." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the I shall communicate with you." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "My Mary? Impossible!" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. strength of mind to control. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the door?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Yes, I promise.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after is entirely a question of barometric pressure." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Proceed, then." papers diligently of late, have you not?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his easy-going way." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a