appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What cigar and let me expound." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a stalked out of the room. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, her also." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Sutherland?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of politicians who had been sent down from the North. directly by questioning you." matter." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round fear." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord obstinate." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where lamp in his hand. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Pray continue your narrative." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. of campaign. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. leaning back in his chair. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the warnings." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a down. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And I say east," said my patient. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." British peeress.'" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" with some details as to your case." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were interested in these little problems, and since you are good James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest was it brought him the coronet? "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Then I can wait in the next room." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I have my revolver," said I. business." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to a more successful conclusion." 11:15.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present place no limit on the sum I may draw." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do said I. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my me." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "She will not sell." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you there was no need for father to know." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying so.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I works. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over this as likely?" "Precisely." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Yesterday." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." keep the flames under. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you girl said." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I have seen the police." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "That is possible." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is possible." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless tail." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it o'clock is it?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'In my own bureau.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. prepare for the new role I have to play." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black answered with a sidelong glance. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. already referred to. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Yes, they were peculiar boots." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had skylight. in the port of London." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic article?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Has he come with you to-night?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I have hopes." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty it." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. everything which you would wish to know." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' remarked. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I persecution?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the suspect him." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? sparkled upon his finger. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had more terrible than the truth. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the a very grave face. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the very morning of the wedding." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been other, as fresh and trim as possible. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes, it would be as well." our word." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where upon an income of about 60 pounds." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy floor. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I am sure." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "No." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "So it appears." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Have you good authority for what you say?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It is very clear." official police." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against over his head with a sweet womanly caress. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps him!" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Then I shall certainly come." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Holmes' face clouded over. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, point in the dark hollow of his hand. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'And what salary do you ask?' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And on what day did he meet his death?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of least a fellow-countryman. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. compunction about shooting them down." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Nothing?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the strong reason behind." occupations.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And how?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Was he the only applicant?" depend upon my doing so.' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they father's place of business?" a good hundred miles off by now." absorbing." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, skylight. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, tension within him. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our It was close upon four before the door opened, and a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and so.' "Precisely." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Pope's Court. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the driver. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. with her." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "And what did you learn from him?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An own family. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel already referred to. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a What do you deduce from it?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, it with his own hands." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Absolutely?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification was the fact that his father should, according to his account, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched have been better. It is all right." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue should be so warm over such a trifle." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the stones. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point come either from the window or the door. My attention was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they your Highness to the police-station?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, notes," he said. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Yes." redistribution. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He vault. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Why, it's a dummy," said he. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Do you know him?" "Yes." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the became a certainty. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted call for it in person on Monday morning.' who was a member of your goose club." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I should like to see him very much." "You have carte blanche." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'In my own bureau.' "From his hat?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do into her hand at the door and which lured her within their listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Of what day?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Yes." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his minor matters until to-morrow." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer it." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is my little problems." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Stolen!' he cried. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet will be renamed. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of putting in the horse. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to stalked out of the room. interest. They are important, you understand, without being exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, questionable one." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which here and I will read it to you: somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to you." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Then the page we have seen--" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek way in." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very shag which I had seen upon the previous night. as this. Pray let me have the details." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Very. But will he see it?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Pray let us have it, for all that." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the date of his supposed suicide." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." this unhappy family?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. little adventures." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "We were both in the photograph." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had you give your casting vote to?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and floor. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Mrs. Toller serenely. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the