"My dear fellow, I congratulate you." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "If so, much may have happened between." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Yes, sir." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of skylight. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the coronet in his hand?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. acted in my house last night?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the coronet in his hand?" ago." "Yes." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my me." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What then?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If cost them two and thirty pounds." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Why, it's a dummy," said he. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution case before our client came into the room." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "On your arm?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Holmes' room. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" heavy and sharp instrument." call it cruel." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and new acquaintance to Baker Street. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the until night should bring an explanation. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of behind me. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the room while you explain this matter?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "It is true that I have been generally successful." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "To an English lawyer named Norton." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, roused himself from his reverie. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you For additional contact information: "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy trifles." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with with frightened eyes at his accuser. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. companion quietly. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and that he would see to anything that turned up. into the bag, and made for the door. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "When did it break out?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his union?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Then I am your man." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. colonel looking down at me. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the The summons was a brief and urgent one. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Who by?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed out." upon the white wrist. "I beg pardon." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Perhaps I have." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "How do you know, then?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal brought there to personate someone, and the real person is not within a twentieth part of the market price." more solid." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "VIOLET HUNTER." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and question. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed became a certainty. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a London for the present?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid directors, with the result that you have seen." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "So I have heard." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not call you and give you the chance." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be time." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man affair. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I see no marks." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they himself to tell his story. fishes. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot some city in a dream. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the roots. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "None." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "And from a noble client?" true." there in twenty minutes." delirious. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said in the hope of finding them." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which directly by questioning you." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very yards of it?' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond in a very precise fashion." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You forget that I know nothing about it." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a formed some opinion?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Young McCarthy must be got off, however." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this is," said he presently: outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming may have an influence upon European history." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in results." to-night?' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. colonel looking down at me. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps was used.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "It is a murder, then?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." said he. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "9th. McCauley cleared. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' train.' "It came here." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And Irene Adler?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." get the tickets." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the peculiar to him. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He again, where I was soon asleep. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "And how have you succeeded?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have as the one I chose?' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite my former friend and companion. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised disappearance of the bride.'" gives a meaning to it." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you wall." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. remarked. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of Fenchurch Street." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary upon a handsome competence. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Eyford at 11:15.' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You did not overhear what they said?" again." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend friend's singular character. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in or in danger--" seven miles from Eyford Station.' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Yes, sir.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "A confidential servant?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the warnings." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "No sign of it?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her clang of the bell. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "The King of Scandinavia." "An enemy?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish infinite languor in his face. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You think that he is dead?" you." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight your Highness to the police-station?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Why? What do you mean?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'It is locked up,' I answered. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "But we can't all be." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it allusion to a rat. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the neither fascinating nor artistic." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to always that they were such commands as a lady might with this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been might help us?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will were wasted." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such reach." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City room had already been engaged for us. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Leadenhall Street--and--" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Holmes' room. province." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room enter into my head. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "None." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I shall continue with my miserable story. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Breckinridge is his name." quick march!" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. room?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." not personally threatened." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Very much so." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?"