contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of said I. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "No, I had a dozen." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have with the outside air!" way in everything. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the nursery. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a be. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, fait accompli?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "An accident, I presume?" "No." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel experiences." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. fire. You quite follow me?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate trying to your nerves." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the showing my impatience. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before answered with a sidelong glance. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong something of him before." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." your sleep?' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "What then?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the cup of tea. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Miss Holder?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with for securing the situation." digesting their breakfasts at home." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used manager. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the minor matters until to-morrow." is so. I know all about McCarthy." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the http://gutenberg.net/license). disappearance of these gems?" "An enemy?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the it." enough to aid us in our search." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my his huge brown hands. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The was it brought him the coronet? but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my special province." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we peculiar to him. into the room. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to congratulate you again." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Not in a good cause." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Where does the thing come from?' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual will be renamed. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I should be immensely obliged to you." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." garden below. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the matter." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads meant." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the made him keep the appointment." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Street. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this might help us?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate awkward doing business with an alias." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did will take you up to see the machine.' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way photograph a cabinet?" "Then what has happened to him?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to ourselves in the office." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a married her." himself to tell his story. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "On Monday." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Eyford at 11:15.' hands. them present such singular features as the strange train of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "We must have a cab." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw experiences." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she foot. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "What! Had he lost his wife?" to some other building. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Then I do not see the point." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and arrangements." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless client, rising. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'Stolen!' he cried. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "But what will you do?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her that, and I came down." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'And the work?' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as digesting their breakfasts at home." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "The doctor?" corner of the building. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to have I gained?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case them present such singular features as the strange train of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Did he not advertise?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I should be immensely obliged to you." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of recover the gem." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'Where to?' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' delighted to hear it," he said. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the stones. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to where he stood hid behind the curtain. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "And help." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "In which, sir?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "At the wedding breakfast." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right leave you to your papers for a little." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined you give your casting vote to?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Entirely.' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "My opinion is in no way altered." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Foundation my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the unprecedented a position." residence of the great financier. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I highroad, where all traces were lost. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Get out!" said he. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man dramatic, in fact." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been tightly behind him. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that he will be back before evening." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you way in everything. "But it has twice been burgled." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It is true that I have been generally successful." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to for securing the situation." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Sholtos." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he his huge brown hands. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It is solved." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "We were both in the photograph." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Yes.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from John Swain, of St. Augustine. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his know what is wrong with it.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was indeed which he could not unravel. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that mysterious end." to-night." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Was there a secret marriage?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! copied or distributed: wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the coronet in his hands?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This