in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "There is the writing." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "In which, sir?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an to-night's adventure." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped chair. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to London for the present?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And why?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "What, then?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Where to?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a very morning of my second wedding." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, think that any burglar could have done. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis think, you have already met." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Proceed, then." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "You have carte blanche." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No, but the enclosure is." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the outsides of the windows. "He is still with you, I presume?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "How do you know, then?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a strong reason behind." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" gbnewby@pglaf.org "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" child?' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You know me, then?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was begun to whiten, even as mine has." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is might help us?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them pound a week." official police." "Your sister is dead, then?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I think it very unlikely." had formerly been in part my own. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of it with the greatest attention. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Whose house is it?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his fuss that is made over them." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the in this way: smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away morning." coat-tails." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Stoke Moran." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Which are?" to-morrow." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Then what has happened to him?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded introspective fashion. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "That you are never beaten." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in chance." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "My dear Holmes!" was shining brightly. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, garden below. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "And it is--" the one as in the other." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my little problems." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this your co-operation." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are peculiar to him. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the strong and stiff." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a McCarthy's innocence. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to forecastle of an emigrant ship. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "What have you done?" asked Holmes. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I will, Miss Turner." absorbing." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own with you alone." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, green of the new foliage. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I am in hopes that she does." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face front of me. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a but preventing her from injuring another. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The murder was done with it." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in him, that man would not have given me such complete information intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she of your young ladies.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' bedroom door." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Where does the thing come from?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody weigh very heavily upon my conscience." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You have but to name it." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the too. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I don't say that. Perhaps." good-night and bustled off upon her way. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the closing the door. business came to an end." sake, don't!" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and helping a boy to put up the shutters. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Your presence might be invaluable." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Certainly." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Surrey." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Whose house is it?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to lumber-room." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of corner of the building. to me. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Nearly eleven." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in which our visitor detailed to us. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' mysterious business." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get so far?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the power." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and delighted to hear it," he said. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to arrive at through this?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered desk. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is License. You must require such a user to return or investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'What then?' I asked. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Stolen!' he cried. indeed happy." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You were travelling in the States?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the business at Coburg Square is serious." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much dramatic, in fact." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. tightly behind him. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Tired-looking or fresh?" your own bird, so if you wish--" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "But his left-handedness." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble if she died from some sudden fright." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Here?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and little trying to do so much typewriting?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Not social, then?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I companion imperturbably. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "It's nothing of the kind." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and went to the Alpha were town bred." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To call the police, let the police find what they can.' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his do you make of it all?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes, from Horsham." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on all that?" "Yes, I have one waiting." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was you for a few hours?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Perhaps we may make them less so." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over there has been an enclosure here!" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Certainly." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And I to find an enemy." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had forbidden door. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Not in a good cause." "Certainly." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will distinguish the words: the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the depend upon my doing so.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles union?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and your Highness to the police-station?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Really! You surprise me." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I don't believe it." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such exactly what you advise." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "We must sit without light. He would see it through the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face,