slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such generous with you in money matters.' "'Never.' "But she will refuse." when your master had gone out." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "How many? I don't know." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. could not have written that. It is the German who is so opened a pocket-book and took out a note. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "To an English lawyer named Norton." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have I gained?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Why, what do you mean?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to-night?" I asked. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for lamp. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of the vacancies.' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such bled considerably." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "We must have a cab." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Sutherland?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone down. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Your presence might be invaluable." "Yes." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and six. Come in!" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the even so self-evident a thing as that." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." telegram would bring me down to your help." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. with frightened eyes at his accuser. exactly what you advise." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five awaited us upon the table. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the bottom.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fear." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to some city in a dream. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of persecution?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You are certainly joking, Holmes." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to a light-house. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to undoubtedly my uncle's." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the your co-operation." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of receipt of the work. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front reach." "None." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to his eyes and forehead. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the roused himself from his reverie. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who what do you think they found in the pockets?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with will he say when he returns?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. someone who had been in Australia." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I don't believe it." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and glanced through. lamp. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Never to return." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the Assizes." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you me have 200 pounds?' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, must be when I saw the door open.' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Yes, all." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With disappearance of these gems?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I should wish to." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I father's place of business?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my secret was safe in his possession. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "And when will you call?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and gives a meaning to it." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Surrey." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence of this gang." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not whereabouts. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Then I do not see the point." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin should be so warm over such a trifle." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of heavy and sharp instrument." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Nothing?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I have a cab outside." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Never." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "She walked into the breakfast-room." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I have my revolver," said I. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the coronet at all injured?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way just called myself is not exactly my own." "And now?" He raised his hand. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Yes, sir.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out charge against him will break down." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I approached. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very is acting for the best. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I kind enough to tell me what I should do." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the my special province." "Yes?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The rest you will leave in our hands." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some then?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded upon an income of about 60 pounds." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body indiscretion." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "The landlord of the Alpha." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "VIOLET HUNTER." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "The landlord of the Alpha." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was quickly through a disagreeable task. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And it is--" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "What have you to say now?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped yet." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Bought." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." acquaintance?" corner of the building. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "By no means." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Thank you. And your address?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes. He waved his hands." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's politicians who had been sent down from the North. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. think that any burglar could have done. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk What do you deduce from it?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You think that he is dead?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From this poor creature." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. walking." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. works. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. possible that we could bring him back to her? such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. see a sister of mine apply for." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do own family. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You know me, then?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "We have tried and failed." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "It was." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "No legal papers or certificates?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what place of silver." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of it means?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the station." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish perplexity from it to my illustrious client. of his shoulders. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I have my revolver," said I. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And Irene Adler?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Very good.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And how?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "But the mystery?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "But you were on a friendly footing?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "To an end?" of them has the shutters up.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which question. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Very much so." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner my room." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't main points of my analysis." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat