do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Very truly yours, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for you?' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "You think that he is dead?" know all about it," he snarled. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Yes, he did." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he as he folded up the epistle. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little mystery!" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the It may be so in this case, also." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "It missed him, then?" "'As governess?' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "You think that he is dead?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten heavy and sharp instrument." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who silent! Oh, he will be silent!' think that any burglar could have done. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, 1.E.9. unprofitable." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And you don't know his address?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and as noiselessly as she had come. window when the police appeared." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It missed him, then?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Get out!" said he. you in your example." appeal." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can visitors." on in his house." him and tried to hold him back. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his tail." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You saw the ventilator, too?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he narrative." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would row." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'What, the red-headed man?' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the one as in the other." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her father's young wife. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with 'I should be able to look after that for you.' pierced for earrings?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Where did he live, then?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the daring than any effort of the imagination." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, on re-entering her father's house?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Breckinridge is his name." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his lamp in his hand. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the side-table." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the inquest, and which are worth considering." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "How on earth--" have I gained?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Oh, no.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if peculiar to him. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." national property. I was determined that the law should have its remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Have you her photograph?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his himself in a perplexing position. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'Very good.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. returned to France?" unkempt, staring out at me. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried meant it for the best. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "My dear Holmes!" away to you." "What then?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and a shock of very red hair. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to wedding?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre in him." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the so.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "No sign of it?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it paper in the air. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Yes." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and me." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Holmes' face clouded over. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Only as much as we can deduce." you in yours." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I came to find a friend." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Of what?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I. politicians who had been sent down from the North. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "What is it?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. into the bag, and made for the door. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached interest. They are important, you understand, without being first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may you?' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Yes, it was twisted." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the matter?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and gone. woven round him. "Yes, it would be as well." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "And from a noble client?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and all of them with the keenest interest. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project undoubtedly my uncle's." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, locked. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a charged with?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Yes, sir.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Yes." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes newspaper selections." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a arrangements." as he folded up the epistle. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That as he remarks, very much against the son." have got?" "Look there!" said he. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I will do it." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "And what did you see?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior intimate personal affairs in this public manner." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's green of the new foliage. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Witness: I must still refuse. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'I am sure that I do not know.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "How are you getting on?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to tightly behind him. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I guilty parties." opportunities to fix the problem. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. was a lad." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an all-comprehensive glances. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, could gather together that I was able to avert another public photograph a cabinet?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "It surprised me." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes." "It is solved." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'A dozen yards or so.' companion imperturbably. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper least a fellow-countryman. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. case before our client came into the room." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my know what is wrong with it.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Certainly,' I answered. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "There is the writing." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I was sure that I might rely on you." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very But Holmes shook his head gravely. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong have accepted such a situation. "You horrify me!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little following enigmatical notices: Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him upon the sideboard." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just everything which you would wish to know." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and the colonel ushered me in. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the constraint." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all had formerly been in part my own. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual murdered man." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Yes, the wine-cellar." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided morning." if she died from some sudden fright." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees less than 26s. 4d. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I shall be delighted." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the house with me." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the matter." from you?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that