evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "What are they?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "And how?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. evidence," I remarked. point in the dark hollow of his hand. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I am sure." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "What, then?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange province." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Arthur Conan Doyle night.' said he. "But you can know nothing of this?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did threw himself down with his face to the pillow. in this way: other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "What will you say?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "What shall I do?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our will find little credit to be gained out of this case." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made place, I think that there is good ground to think that the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the everything which you would wish to know." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "And your mother is alive?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry States. you?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "How did that help you?" "And how did he make his money?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of forehead. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their in the port of London." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that locked." chair. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "What do you mean?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Was he the only applicant?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And how?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Perfectly so." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Where, then, is my wife?" the coronet in his hand?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "In heaven's name, what for?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain electronic works deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Nearly eleven." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the south-west, I see." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a helping a boy to put up the shutters. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small thought that she would have been so carried away." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Precisely." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, it." quick march!" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an father's young wife. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at it were putty." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed to his chemical studies. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." purpose of examination. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an 1.E.9. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I cannot tell." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his cup of tea. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Holmes rather sternly. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was few hundred pounds.' disturbance in my wife." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "A confidential servant?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who some terrible trap for her." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and peculiar to him. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so whether it answered to the description of any of their it." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor happened." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "You have the photograph?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "A client, then?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small she might be summoned. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, this unhappy family?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Precisely." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, your Highness to the police-station?" hurried by. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some ashen face. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such cost them two and thirty pounds." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a IS is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall strength in the others." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate nothing of it?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to crime. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining garden below. voice, changing her seat as requested. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "So I am. Very much so." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute room had already been engaged for us. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which golden eyeglasses. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to appeared upon the scene." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you noting anything else of interest. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I me what he had done with the three missing stones. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into be there in time for your coming." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Yes." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the King without delay." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Never." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous official police." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your had formerly been in part my own. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Do you receive much company?" he asked. arrested. You then--" "He is dead," cried several voices. "He is dead," cried several voices. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would thought that she would have been so carried away." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a peculiar to him. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I should like to see him very much." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in yards of it?' out." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us during that time.' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the station." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "But not more so than I to find you." will take you up to see the machine.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had only touch the interest." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and have this put in the evening papers." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You think so, too?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "The vanishing of the lady." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "But what will you do?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free without success. At last the little money which I had saved began high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window would apply.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he helping a boy to put up the shutters. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and the whole place is in a blaze." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "No." "Then I am your man." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom noble correspondent could be. from the brougham. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Stolen, then." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman fat-encircled eyes. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I better grown goose." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Well, it is a possible supposition." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I have solved it." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Do you go out much in society?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, pound a week." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And Miss Sutherland?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Then I can wait in the next room." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it golden eyeglasses. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And I say east," said my patient. national property. I was determined that the law should have its drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was crackling voice. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "You think so, too?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Then I can wait in the next room." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main gone. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you anything to do with the matter?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." envelope. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need never came back." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that there was nothing in it, after all." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "It came here." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her was used.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to works. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone matter over." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I shall most certainly do so." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." said he at last. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air thin legs towards the fire. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to on in his house." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the John Swain, of St. Augustine. his cane at the bell-pull. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was respectable self." learned something! Where are the gems?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "You think that he is dead?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can forecastle of an emigrant ship. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted signal between you and your father? I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "If I can be of use." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'Certainly,' I answered. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was eavesdroppers?' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I cannot as yet see any connection." everything which you would wish to know." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "What is it?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them morning." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as drove away. "What?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the house with me." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand