conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "VIOLET HUNTER." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Munro.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both knowledge of the world." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning down. families. Now for the facts. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. one's self under obligations.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's be there in time for your coming." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour me." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Who was the criminal, then?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his train.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I don't believe it." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious posted to-day." opportunities to fix the problem. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able be. kind enough to tell me what I should do." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Have you her photograph?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You have compromised yourself seriously." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the memory. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of you." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And how did he make his money?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for an introduction to him?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It is solved." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the side-table." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Is he quiet?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking noble correspondent could be. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I showing my impatience. "We have tried and failed." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in were wasted." take the flies, but not before." a suggestive one." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "One of his hands." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "No good news?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I get the tickets." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite crowd. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, criminal. We have already had experience of such." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Most admirably.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a row." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. one of the states of the Union." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that threaten you." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His arms and began to sob in a high treble key. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources off." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Sutherland?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "No." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two It may be so in this case, also." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small breakfast?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "From his hat?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door entirely devoid of interest." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in breakfast." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "No, I am descending." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which suspect him." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Yes." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of a light. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, writing, and yet I know it well." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "How about poison?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" during that time.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the straighten it?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Eh? What was that?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You horrify me!" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It was an hour's good drive." at my own good fortune. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a few minutes he said that it would be all right. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and that he would see to anything that turned up. mystery!" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the whereabouts. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did public press." business came to an end." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "But you were on a friendly footing?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a me where it went to?" congratulate you again." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "In the cells." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now criminal. We have already had experience of such." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "About a month then." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "No." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there of the vacancies.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. key turn in the lock." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." what do you think they found in the pockets?" fasten all the windows?" "And it is--" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Yes." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Yes?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss me what he had done with the three missing stones. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the so-precious time, but come!' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident views." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Stolen, then." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." heavily into it. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are less than 26s. 4d. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "When did she vanish, then?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "This photograph!" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening that threaten you." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to change my dress. the nursery. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual there!' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was appointment with me for six o'clock?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Nothing?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with always that they were such commands as a lady might with having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the garden below. digesting their breakfasts at home." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it foot. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point wedding?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of developed." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "So I am. Very much so." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old girl said." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It was an hour's good drive." opportunities to fix the problem. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." with you alone." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further than to us. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Witness: I must still refuse. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a writer." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." had formerly been in part my own. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone him to go away.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Yes." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the works. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. character. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further not fit the lock." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered you want, then?' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Did you become engaged then?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even down in his armchair and closing his eyes. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems writers could invent nothing more crude." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" time." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is forbidden door. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was rooms." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I will not look." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, without a word or a look. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your charge against him will break down." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say hardly wander."