and inquire as to the address." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was chemical work which was so dear to him. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Your French gold?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'And the work?' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He upon the shelf for the interim." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could coat-tails." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the kind enough to tell me what I should do." taking in every detail of the apartment. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his could gather together that I was able to avert another public he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from bedroom door." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I wall." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen your own bird, so if you wish--" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "No." "But what harm can there be in that?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, know what is wrong with it.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing introspective fashion. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Seven!" I answered. there." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at again before evening." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been against a man in the prime of life?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and it need not interfere very much with one's other were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an least a most suspicious remark." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "When did she vanish, then?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some conceal it?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Really! You surprise me." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew whereabouts. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Nothing." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, beyond words. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be invisible to me," I remarked. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she keep the flames under. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord rooms." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and experiences." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when down. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my neither fascinating nor artistic." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the armchair which I pushed forward for him. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And I." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "The gentleman I describe." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken business." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it man. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "What have you to say now?" his face. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds during the last few years, and there are many noble families to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love absolutely follow my advice in every respect." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "We must have a cab." "It is solved." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over tail." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Come in!" said Holmes. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I them present such singular features as the strange train of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hour?' That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And how have you succeeded?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "She walked into the breakfast-room." with you?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "But we can't all be." or other trace. But how on earth--" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Yes, at the mines." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "To an English lawyer named Norton." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air three of the beryls in it, was missing. nonsense.' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and carpenter." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped them present such singular features as the strange train of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "How can you tell that?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that there was nothing in it, after all." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs his grey eyes. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's tassel actually lying upon the pillow. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had I have it here in my museum." "Yes, certainly." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Is 4 pounds a week.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her searched, without anything being found which could incriminate where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming breakfast?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "And help." "Nothing." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "You don't mind breaking the law?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done gives a meaning to it." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Stolen, then." "But how did you gain them?" Gutenberg-tm License. "I don't say that. Perhaps." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional to have that photograph." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the window, rose as we entered. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips amused." outsides of the windows. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing made his money." upon a handsome competence. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose arrested. You then--" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a morning." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Game for a morning drive?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it criminal. We have already had experience of such." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Countess of Morcar's?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in vanished into the darkness. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. think that any burglar could have done. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "And help." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "To an end?" "We have tried and failed." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little breakfast." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pictures, libraries, or plate. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "No." my friend's incisive reasoning. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is photograph?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put three of the beryls in it, was missing. presume?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Nothing." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. system of imprisonment?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Why? What do you mean?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was words came to my lips. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. only touch the interest." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it been with you?" the coronet in his hands?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the running down." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Well, some hundreds of times." child?' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came all that?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "What!" he roared. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was than to us. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Absolutely?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Does that suggest anything?" entirely devoid of interest." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Where, indeed?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." for and were ordered to this address. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the window, rose as we entered. mysterious business." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the very morning of the wedding." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "But his lameness?" him nearly every evening." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Sholtos." more terrible than the truth. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Where to?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, tied." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct.