intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of upon a handsome competence. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with is four-and-twenty." "Then how many are there?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many me, and I could not think that his explanation of the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the all that?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, copied or distributed: of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with you alone." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Does that suggest anything?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the tragedy. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow place of silver." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I cannot say that I have." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" to-night?" I asked. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hurried by. than to us. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Why? What do you mean?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact you, my dear young lady?' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: beyond words. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows laugh and put his lips to my ear. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Ha! you find it so?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office morning." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. way in everything. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. way in everything. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too made him keep the appointment." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what there has been an enclosure here!" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital there!' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Yes, all." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come secret." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that generous with you in money matters.' "There is the writing." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, breakfast." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is could not account in any way for the presence of the missing main points of my analysis." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot it." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the never will be, entirely cleared up. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "What! Had he lost his wife?" to take care of herself." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the inner apartment." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. highroad, where all traces were lost. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Absolutely?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet room?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself as yours." tear off another piece?' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her enter into my head. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Witness: It was. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some drove away. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind carriage. It was a chestnut." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the you." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. get the tickets." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "But of what society?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from remarked. "The murder was done with it." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? matter." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "You horrify me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "But his left-handedness." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "What shall I do?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been written, and locked the door of the office after me. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me business at Coburg Square is serious." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a said Mr. Holder. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he deduce something from that?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair hopeless attempt at recovering them." "There are none." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the south-west, I see." better in every way that they should make their position a little have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing his fortune, and I went back to pa. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I make me his representative both with the servants and with the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the King without delay." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." voice. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "That is unusual in a young girl." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Then I am your man." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Where is it, then?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Stolen, then." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, window when the police appeared." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he depend upon your compliance." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Thank you. And your address?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could lamp. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign ceremony." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was straighten it?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. there when the Rucastles went away." business matters.' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my a good hundred miles off by now." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place way in everything. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before so.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are coroner's jury." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." seven miles from Eyford Station.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Your presence might be invaluable." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was October 9, 1890. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to-night's adventure." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." a room. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lectures into a series of tales." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "But how could you guess what the motive was?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her upon the sideboard." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea upon the sideboard." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at key turn in the lock." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, upon a handsome competence. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Yes." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to-morrow." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. congratulate you again." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you your Highness to the police-station?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? constraint." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the address that was given us in the advertisement. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan quick march!" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time new duties?' better in every way that they should make their position a little a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. case-book, which he consulted. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the must compliment you." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "But not more so than I to find you." generous with you in money matters.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Countess of Morcar's?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the furiously. fattened it expressly for you.' will he say when he returns?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the whereabouts. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum 1.F. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw think that any burglar could have done. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Leave Paddington by the 11:15." DAMAGE. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "A confidential servant?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with you in your example." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of affair. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." awaited us upon the table. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these was once confined in the cab my mission was practically not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I think that it is very probable." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I should wish to." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. dates and names. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case."