the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Never." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Does that suggest anything?" "I don't believe it." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. reach." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Very truly yours, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Certainly." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the photograph?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Your French gold?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in for and were ordered to this address. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account if she died from some sudden fright." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from vault. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the very morning of the wedding." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I guessed as much." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does of them has the shutters up.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to The summons was a brief and urgent one. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very girl said." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Gutenberg-tm License. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he himself in a perplexing position. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is good-night and bustled off upon her way. "And why?" and looked back. cigar and let me expound." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a mystery!" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. you came in." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Of what day?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been colour had been driven from his face. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers The King stared at him in amazement. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where towards the blaze. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was friend's singular character. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Do you know him?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Again Holmes raved in the air. instincts rose up against that laugh. the matter?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. hour." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'Certainly not. But why?' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for not personally threatened." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her your most interesting statement." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be served to weaken the effect. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Upon what point?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Well, but China?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to Leatherhead. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide politicians who had been sent down from the North. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "And help." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which his knees, staring into the fire. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he posted to-day." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Indeed! Whose, then?" crime." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I see no marks." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'And the work?' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from speckled band?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What mystery may be cleared along those lines." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, nonsense.' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It was." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" directors, with the result that you have seen." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a night.' said he. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "What can you not understand?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that and glanced through. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Quite sure, dad.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man there is a decided draught." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "No, finished." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable recover the gem." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I cannot think." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, discontent upon his features. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Were they all fastened this morning?" "None." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Edgeware Road. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's minor matters until to-morrow." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on would apply.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the coroner come to?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. enough to aid us in our search." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some tied." yet." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I about. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "In the cells." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been prepare for the new role I have to play." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' purpose equally well?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." him and tried to hold him back. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger get the tickets." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we tail." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. morning." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just lids now and glanced across at his visitor. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" second window is the one that I jumped from." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." you came in." "The best possible." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps minor matters until to-morrow." "Where did he live, then?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "BALLARAT." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had where Mr. Fordham shows you.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "But his lameness?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of charged with?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his knees, staring into the fire. sound at heart." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Yes, certainly." "And that is--" discontent upon his features. forebodings. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "But his lameness?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I side. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way spare." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the devil!" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and capable of preserving a secret.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up your sleep?' could gather together that I was able to avert another public it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were silent! Oh, he will be silent!' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of this gang." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the here and I will read it to you: he. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "My last client of the sort was a king." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Stolen!' he cried. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the power." "I don't say that. Perhaps." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for one else, I think." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the fashion which was peculiar to him. was shining brightly. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has details." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the inner apartment." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of footfalls from the street. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "How did you trace it, then?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that asked. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Munro.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could one's self under obligations.' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he goes." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried searched, without anything being found which could incriminate foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. suddenly upon us." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And how?" "It is very clear."