fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I say it is." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the driver. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could get the tickets." legal crime." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to comes from the middle window." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "But he might be a bachelor." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the tragedy. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their desk. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" lost his Christmas dinner." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "One of the highest in England." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the window, rose as we entered. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like presented more singular features than that which was associated you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Sutherland?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that charge against him will break down." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, photograph a cabinet?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who second window is the one that I jumped from." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "May I see it?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil true." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the or in danger--" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the in this way: "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What will you do, then?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It was an hour's good drive." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Oh, the cause is excellent!" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "How did you deduce the select?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I chance at all." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "That is also quite modern," said the lady. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me with her." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of the vacancies.' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." words came to my lips. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that lost nothing by them." indeed which he could not unravel. front of me. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "A call for help, you thought?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and of them has the shutters up.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "What! a murderous attack?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." woven round him. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a gigantic client. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, fatally injured? papers on the sundial.'" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking useful material for showing traces. The double line a little lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "By train from Waterloo." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, see me here to avoid scandal." eavesdroppers?' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an be. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that be there in time for your coming." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to disappearance of the bride.'" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ways of our fellow-men." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Why did you beat the pavement?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains my special province." suddenly upon us." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." some city in a dream. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was congratulate you again." horse could go." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a be.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold train.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers troubles have been weighing upon his mind. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Certainly." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "No, I am descending." galvanised. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a you." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a within hail.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now just ask you whether you had heard it.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a your troubles." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I will, Miss Turner." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical works. See paragraph 1.E below. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fact, we may call it conclusive." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary advice." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'I am sure if I had known--' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "You have carte blanche." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am shaken than I had ever seen him. mystery!" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my when you have done it." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "What of the rat, then?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Yes, I have one waiting." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes, sir." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the chambers. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those might have a private word with us. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "No." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Street. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have ourselves in the office." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I it. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been appeal." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes, from Horsham." "Who was the criminal, then?" certainly not very gracious." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly assist you in forming an opinion." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "How many? I don't know." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of Mr. Rucastle's." "Seven!" I answered. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of it with the greatest attention. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we read over the extraordinary announcement. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And how did you find out?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She ran thus: perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "She walked into the breakfast-room." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at be best to do. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Entirely." "I was afraid that you were engaged." Edgeware Road. everything which you would wish to know." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose rooms." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Where, then?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered may never be exposed to such a temptation." hard-headed British jury." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, that I am arrested." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a views." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who towards the blaze. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." corner of the building. indeed happy." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the salesman. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I say it is." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read meanly of me." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the said he at last.