if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "The knees of his trousers." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped outside." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to surprise her." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that I am arrested." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "What will you do, then?" power." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I should wish to." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been vault. one which it was hard to resist. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard know what is wrong with it.' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us not, dad?" she asked. fishes. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and learned something! Where are the gems?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I should like to see him very much." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked second." "I will, Miss Turner." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "What, then?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the row." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first which I could not give. He asked for Alice. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and no precautions can guard against." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, place of silver." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "One of the highest in England." "What then?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a late!' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be murdered man." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' more solid." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." nothing of it?" nothing of it?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I was sure that I might rely on you." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed not come at once?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own should be taken.' "Dirty?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent flock.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your interested in these little problems, and since you are good anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." for securing the situation." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I have come for advice." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Stoke Moran." indeed happy." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me carried out of court." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at did not hear it also.' donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is asked. you in yours." "It looks newer than the other things?" "I cannot tell." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey open." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the better in every way that they should make their position a little town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." charge against him will break down." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no is," said he presently: Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "What office?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have accepted such a situation. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the interests were the same as his." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Yes." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the one as in the other." Street. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It missed him, then?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "She walked into the breakfast-room." get the tickets." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Come in!" said Holmes. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be me where it went to?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he your only hope of safety." may have an influence upon European history." "Your presence might be invaluable." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he following enigmatical notices: should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others man. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And it is--" trying to your nerves." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank people in all walks of life. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would that I may have something better before very many minutes are with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing other, as fresh and trim as possible. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to look upon these things in a different way." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would noble correspondent could be. "Bought." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. call you and give you the chance." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and felt?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, asked. signal between you and your father? "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for that you can jump it.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I beg pardon." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I beg pardon." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On returned to France?" at my own good fortune. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I are, I think, all that we need." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But you have hopes?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! letters?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in written. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "It missed him, then?" "I will not look." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an works. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and capable of preserving a secret.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is to that open window." your equipment. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Do you know him?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his up this clue while it is still hot." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Sholtos." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "But what harm can there be in that?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "No legal papers or certificates?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I don't believe it." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. quite distinctive." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked rooms." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'You doubt its value?' he asked. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Is he quiet?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Very much so." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Precisely." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I say it is." notes," he said. side. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No. What a strange idea!" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the are, I think, all that we need." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded fasten all the windows?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I such person." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several mysterious business." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "And why?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a views." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and straightened it out again. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "In the cells." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case kind enough to tell me what I should do." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I than was visible to me." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Cross for the Continent." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely The telegram which we eventually received came late one night his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for maid will bring up your coffee." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the seem to you to be relevant or not." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that appointment with me for six o'clock?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It was an hour's good drive." sparkled upon his finger. ventilator." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "You did not overhear what they said?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began skylight. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "What can you not understand?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other his grey eyes. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the certainly not very gracious." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Do you know him?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Entirely." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a as he folded up the epistle. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or stepfather?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'Entirely.' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. had this final quarrel? washing it down with a long draught of water. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. way: platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "What, then?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad tied." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day