"That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, beg that you will break it off." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always neither fascinating nor artistic." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And your mother is alive?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and bonnet, and went out." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "He said too much." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sneer upon his pale face. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the one as in the other." of it with the greatest attention. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the little opening for the ventilator is." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors go back?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag there." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the roots. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to upon the sideboard." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, business." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It certainly sounds feasible." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to change my dress. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "But his left-handedness." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." forehead. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an digesting their breakfasts at home." whole matter to your consideration." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "One horse?" interjected Holmes. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to people in all walks of life. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as coroner's jury." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "That sounds a little paradoxical." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Then I shall certainly come." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if frequently gained my first real insight into the character of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle leaning back in his chair. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I will not look." "Eh? What was that?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. promised to bring home. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Literary Archive Foundation It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, trying to your nerves." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I am still in the dark." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which never will be, entirely cleared up. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I people in all walks of life. "Of what day?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Munro.' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I am following you closely," I answered. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as did not hear it also.' matter." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. colour had been driven from his face. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Never,' said I. hands. once more to my work. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's then?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall do.' "We were both in the photograph." he. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such heavy and sharp instrument." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "When did it break out?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Entirely." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned away to you." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'What do you call purely nominal?' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Proceed, then." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of receipt of the work. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other said he. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are more solid." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" served to weaken the effect. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Certainly." "'How far from the body?' thought that she would have been so carried away." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure crowd. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing during the last few years, and there are many noble families to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with present." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "By no means." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some signal between you and your father? We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on drawing your inferences." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Tired-looking or fresh?" "But his lameness?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' electronic works and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very go from here to the Strand." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." him!" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, only one." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'And what salary do you ask?' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "In answer to an advertisement." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "What then?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "To ruin me." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "One of his hands." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was events than those which have happened in my own family." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly matter over." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "And I." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get on in his house." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was certainly do as you advise." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "The best possible." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "What can you not understand?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her maid will bring up your coffee." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the acted in my house last night?" which it had come upon my father." hour?' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It is very kind of you." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I don't say that. Perhaps." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, dead, shall be safe with us." keep the flames under. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'What then?' I asked. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which your sleep?' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" appeal." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "This concluded the examination of the witness." remarked. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a prepare for the new role I have to play." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true chambers. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. crime." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "The Coroner: What do you mean? them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when lumber-room." "Where to?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "From his hat?" "It is solved." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And you can do nothing until then?" "Pray do so." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should are, I think, all that we need." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which entirely lost his self-respect." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Not I." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be such attractions and accomplishments?' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to his chemical studies. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even interested in these little problems, and since you are good take the flies, but not before." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre unprofitable." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last wanted for ourselves." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "How did he come?" III. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the King without delay." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Entirely.' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, one of the states of the Union." "Ha! you find it so?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his forebodings. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It goes to the housekeeper's room." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'A dozen yards or so.' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Yes, all." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "But what is it you wish?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "So I am. Very much so." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as