to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the away into the river." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. he bowed and left the room without another word. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old out." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his that he has suffered." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "My stepfather's business papers." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other grasp, he hurried from the room. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and a shock of very red hair. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he over here." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "At what time?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" that I can to serve you." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She if only as a check to my own memory." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I gone. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Absolutely none." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "She told me to ask you." to some other building. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "What will you say?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage was lame." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I am armed." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming said he, "my real name is James Ryder." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with other lovers by making love himself." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Your sister is dead, then?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Not in the least." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, I have one waiting." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned be.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "But you can know nothing of this?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And what did you see?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the Assizes." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Yes." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You have compromised yourself seriously." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has help us in this matter." correct than the official force." "From his hat?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Heh?' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. get the tickets." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "It came here." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." friend's singular character. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'And the work?' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to child?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "A call for help, you thought?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And the cigar-holder?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless shall not find me ungrateful." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." disturbance in my wife." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "By train from Waterloo." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those delighted to hear it," he said. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, newspaper selections." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a chance at all." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Of what?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to posted to-day." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Pray let us have it, for all that." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There retorted upon me, and I on you." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all this as likely?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "But how?" served to weaken the effect. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the case before our client came into the room." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his married her." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project it. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'How far from the body?' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "That you are never beaten." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Was there a secret marriage?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is half-past ten now." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for congratulate you again." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and electronic works old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all down from London to inquire more deeply into it." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that voice, changing her seat as requested. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let me. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had other, as fresh and trim as possible. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my special province." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fled together." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Where, then, is my wife?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And why in hopes?" meanly of me." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each coroner's jury." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get meant it for the best. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and will take you up to see the machine.' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. there when the Rucastles went away." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Yes.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and your troubles." "Not in the least." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to a more successful conclusion." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I have a cab outside." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the never to learn it at all." foresight and the moral retrogression?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers advice." on in his house." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I What do you deduce from it?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the chair. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a here and I will read it to you: rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, photograph?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "What I expected to see." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I have solved it." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every six. Come in!" "This photograph!" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the bed, and you in that chair." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "And you thought he was pulled back?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a habit of advancing money.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his I approached. himself to tell his story. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he questioning and rather startled gaze. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." you." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or your equipment. as yours." During two years I have had three consultations and one small understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which acted in my house last night?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. so.' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we think you a quite exceptional woman." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. cost them two and thirty pounds." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have be. Gutenberg-tm License. it." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Witness: Nothing definite. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has or other trace. But how on earth--" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I fear not." to his chemical studies. desk. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this against a man in the prime of life?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands read it out to me." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'What then?' I asked. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. over here." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, round and wave him away like that.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and this man was intellectual?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and weary and pale-looking. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Here?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give astonishment. "Seven!" I answered. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A you do it in twenty minutes!' "None." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Just look it up, then." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "What office?" purpose of examination. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Texas, I think." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Then I can wait in the next room." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "You have but to name it." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Street. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has tension within him. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his he. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "It came here." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress."