became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Who was the criminal, then?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. foot. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have This is what he says: the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in developed." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It carried out of court." I shall communicate with you." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the coroner come to?" "Come in!" said he. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, place no limit on the sum I may draw." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "The knees of his trousers." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. putting in the horse. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the driver. "Always." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't answer." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had this final quarrel? My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Certainly." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have not use it unless it is absolutely needed." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' narrative." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you foresight and the moral retrogression?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of to some other building. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the tell me that you intended to go into harness." careless servant girl?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate could go. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been there is a decided draught." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this narrative." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips a room. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Was he the only applicant?" "By all means." "And from a noble client?" it. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if at my remark. said I. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was green of the new foliage. woman." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press thought that she would have been so carried away." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest few hundred pounds.' Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local again on its way. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. from the brougham. front of me. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Count Von Kramm." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "When did it break out?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took are, I think, all that we need." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I never have." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I woman." despair." crackling voice. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a voice, changing her seat as requested. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "No." It may be so in this case, also." way in everything. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first green of the new foliage. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "If so, much may have happened between." "She told me to ask you." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be your co-operation." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the one of them." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "But his lameness?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Where to?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "The gentleman I describe." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say notes," he said. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, there was no need for father to know." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he your Highness to the police-station?" horse could go." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the business came to an end." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an official police." "It missed him, then?" you understand?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with you alone." the child." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical wedding?" "He said too much." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. felt the room to be a little close.' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "Why, what do you mean?" again before evening." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her tightly behind him. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee I was concerned in it." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the salesman. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his was used.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "This photograph!" the coroner come to?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned to take care of herself." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the bed, and you in that chair." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing vague figure huddled up in the darkness. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the may have an influence upon European history." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray closing the door. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on is a common subject for conversation. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no in a friendly supper." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "But he might be a bachelor." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Oh, yes, easily." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and persecution?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Ample." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of note-paper. It read in this fashion: while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time room had already been engaged for us. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "But how did you gain them?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Sholtos." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and files of the old papers, following the future career of every commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy carriage. It was a chestnut." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "But not more so than I to find you." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, before the coroner and the police-court." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to have been novel and of interest." an introduction to him?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 this poor creature." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No, I had a dozen." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and the colonel ushered me in. again on its way. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, License. You must require such a user to return or along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And did you observe any change in her then?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'A dozen yards or so.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I was concerned in it." papers on the sundial.'" you, my dear young lady?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I took the paper from him and read as follows: "No, distinctly professional." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Dirty?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "One of the highest in England." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "But it has twice been burgled." empty. was a perfect sample of the class. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his guilty one." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a invisible to me," I remarked. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Where did you address your letters, then?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But how will you look?" "Perfectly so." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the in a very precise fashion." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, becomes even more simple." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only III. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "But his lameness?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now drawing your inferences." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, indeed which he could not unravel. him. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" mysterious end." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "And I say east," said my patient. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found was already answered. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "But the mystery?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "It is true that I have been generally successful." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "And how did you find out?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of not within a twentieth part of the market price." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in which we had just quitted. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well, but China?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of where she found matters as described by the last witness. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I kind enough to tell me what I should do." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "But how?" your room." was already answered. them?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "You are hungry," I remarked. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms third from London." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a forbidden door. "On your arm?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Yes." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Yes." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, point in the dark hollow of his hand. dramatic, in fact." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not