"I say that I have solved it." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do annoyance, but no jest. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." works. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed answer." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler at a side door. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "And now?" I asked. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He geese which you supplied to the Alpha." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of open." The events in question occurred in the early days of my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with highroad, where all traces were lost. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Yes." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable call for it in person on Monday morning.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." families. Now for the facts. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right me where it went to?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Was your sister dressed?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father became a certainty. if only as a check to my own memory." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Serpentine Avenue. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a in my life." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But seen the man in the road." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body society." himself to tell his story. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of infinite languor in his face. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, invisible to me," I remarked. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we clang of the bell. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I guessed as much." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "And is that all?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, matters immensely." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main several quiet little villages up there." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some possible that we could bring him back to her? through." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the room while you explain this matter?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which strong reason behind." "'What then?' I asked. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even someone who had been in Australia." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." miles off. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same cheerful." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out developed." I. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'What do you call purely nominal?' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." south, for the country is more deserted there." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Edgeware Road. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to what do you think they found in the pockets?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was than was visible to me." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and have this put in the evening papers." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the train.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I am following you closely," I answered. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." handed it to him. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in this way: house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to miss it." straighten it?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done success. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Witness: It was. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that?' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been purpose of examination. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Come in!" said he. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' your sleep?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" strength of mind to control. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent prepare for the new role I have to play." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand all?" "We were both in the photograph." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sake, don't!" have got?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end people don't know." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the tragedy. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There security.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "How did you trace it, then?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now could not have written that. It is the German who is so branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, keep the flames under. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Nothing." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "It is very kind of you." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. on in his house." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. any." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "No." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at carpenter." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. cigar and let me expound." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw confronted him. "I see no marks." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you crime. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his them, and came down just as you departed. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear could gather together that I was able to avert another public continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Tired-looking or fresh?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind quickly through a disagreeable task. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The go back?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the salesman. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work or in danger--" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a fear." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you give your casting vote to?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "That is unusual in a young girl." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "One of his hands." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" back to my heart. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many back alive. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the station." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And now?" I asked. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we our word." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real lamp. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Precisely." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most individual and becomes the badge of a society." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, with you?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our use an arc-and-compass breastpin." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "When did she vanish, then?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I see no marks." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Will you go?" said he at last. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her DISSOLVED. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a night.' said he. followed. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, province." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest man. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was for securing the situation." to-night?" I asked. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Very murderous indeed." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Your presence might be invaluable." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he him." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in father's young wife. your co-operation." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "My dear Holmes!" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to wife's character?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "At the wedding breakfast." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." page at http://pglaf.org of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And why?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "On the contrary, this is the right side." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'I am sure if I had known--' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to matters immensely." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Where could I find him?' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have unclasping of his long thin hands. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "It is very clear." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been made him keep the appointment." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Sutherland?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in