sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, quick march!" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You have the photograph?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me heavy and sharp instrument." just ask you whether you had heard it.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "One of the highest in England." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of The King stared at him in amazement. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to some other building. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their putting in the horse. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should for its centre. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you strange features which were associated with the two crimes which matter." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with returning from some small jollification and was making his way contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your strength." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to him to be an active member of the medical profession." in his power. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "There is the writing." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "But how did you gain them?" never came back." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Married! When?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his reach." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Did you observe the colour?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to a light-house. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I say it is." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Won't it ring?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he or other trace. But how on earth--" "I am in hopes that she does." yet." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less lost nothing by them." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should was not a bird to be seen there. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since were new raised from a basin. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, himself to tell his story. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Count Von Kramm." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive tail." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Do you go out much in society?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "But you were on a friendly footing?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the so far?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself status with the IRS. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Never,' said I. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, in darkness. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "No, thank goodness, she did not." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a matter." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "No sign of it?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front you, my dear young lady?' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Foundation "I warn you that they are very incomplete." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That me." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens best detective that ever lived. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout prove to be little relation between the different incidents of other lovers by making love himself." all that?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to until night should bring an explanation. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to in. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him do you make of it all?" works. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "What then?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting sufficient punishment." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a suggestive one." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You on re-entering her father's house?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he not, dad?" she asked. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And the murderer?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice would apply.' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot ago." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "How are you getting on?" possible that we could bring him back to her? guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered congenial hunt. infinite languor in his face. the night.' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Yes, he did." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs meanly of me." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Very murderous indeed." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "That is also quite modern," said the lady. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. situation." once more. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say tightly behind him. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Oh, fresh and glossy." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to-night?' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "When did it break out?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "It is solved." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in him." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Cross for the Continent." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "That's no good." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of as noiselessly as she had come. "I cannot think." occupations.' transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but was shining brightly. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those chambers. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Gutenberg-tm License. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Absolutely none." and all of them with the keenest interest. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and effective." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door someone who had been in Australia." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "This photograph!" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "None." see me here to avoid scandal." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and that he would see to anything that turned up. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner dates and names. have got?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Street. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in darkness. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' of Fenchurch Street." your most interesting statement." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own woman who has had her own way to make in the world. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Certainly." "'And the work?' this Miss Turner." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "At what time?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go silent! Oh, he will be silent!' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom future lives." "But he might be a bachelor." really the only notable feature about the thing." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Absolutely?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry leave you to your papers for a little." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must questionable one." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You did not overhear what they said?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so that he has suffered." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "To an end?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his some water from a caraffe. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "You have but to name it." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint occurred." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Sutherland?" coroner's jury." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "She will not sell." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." at my own good fortune. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something remarked. washing it down with a long draught of water. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant should be taken.' very old mansion. fear." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "But what is it you wish?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple a few minutes he said that it would be all right. entirely devoid of interest." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Yes." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Was the window open?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" shoulder; "he's all right." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Is purely nominal.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was which was all perfectly true. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "My stepfather's business papers." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I must compliment you." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the daring than any effort of the imagination." washing it down with a long draught of water. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in room had already been engaged for us. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which future lives." "The gentleman I describe." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late pound a week." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "What can you not understand?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic existence." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions presented more singular features than that which was associated tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "The murder was done with it." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, opportunities to fix the problem. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It is a murder, then?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." begun to whiten, even as mine has." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are think that he is innocent?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Not particularly." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes, it would be as well." colour had been driven from his face. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague