Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love is worth.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever character. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him sofa. This way, please!" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This results." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for tassel actually lying upon the pillow. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for in his power. "Why did you beat the pavement?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "None." trifles." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "How can you tell that?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the see me here to avoid scandal." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. gentleman's clothes. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." to me. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I see many objections to any such theory." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean go back?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "And what did you learn from him?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the death." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural remarked. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that I can to serve you." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Perhaps I have." "That is easily got." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to politicians who had been sent down from the North. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The knees of his trousers." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now never will be, entirely cleared up. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose been able to understand it, in a very few words. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "So I am. Very much so." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is redistribution. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "No, but the enclosure is." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. wanted for ourselves." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall husband's writing, madam." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "On your arm?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Then I can wait in the next room." and the church but not where the lady lived." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Precisely." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, nice household for a young lady." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head amused." the nursery. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Street. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, one's self under obligations.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which arrangements." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money vague figure huddled up in the darkness. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Sutherland?" "Was there a secret marriage?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this woven round him. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in here and I will read it to you: and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have cigar and let me expound." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the papers diligently of late, have you not?" fled together." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. his face. "'Which dealer's?' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the coronet in his hand?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to arrive at through this?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "And that is--" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat them present such singular features as the strange train of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "That's no good." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I fear not." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, was it brought him the coronet? coat-tails." present." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Nothing." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "To ruin me." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" bill, which interests me deeply." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses presented which may be striking and bizarre without being States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Well, it is a possible supposition." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Your sister is dead, then?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Why did you pick him?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Whose house is it?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'A dozen yards or so.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Pray do so." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural skylight. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. chair. "It missed him, then?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Pray be precise as to details," said he. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a McCarthy." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, promised to bring home. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Her father is very rich?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Well, it is a possible supposition." which it had come upon my father." emerged. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great outsides of the windows. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too wife's character?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." money should be paid at once.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all that I am arrested." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Then what has happened to him?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from some city in a dream. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "He said too much." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a of your young ladies.' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." than to us. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in or in danger--" "Pray continue your narrative." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, both be extremely obliged.' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." compunction about shooting them down." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. might have a private word with us. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Really! You surprise me." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "It must be recovered." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical guilty parties." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very returned to France?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, may have an influence upon European history." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his there in twenty minutes." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I have come for advice." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in certainly do as you advise." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his throat." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. which are rolled in Rotterdam." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness congratulate you again." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "That is possible." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would be there in time for your coming." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'Oh, no.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that companion. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a placed his cuttings. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Certainly." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "But we can't all be." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the hurried away. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a of the one which your family is now devouring." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "What can you not understand?" was a lad." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "But how?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the