spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question 'I should be able to look after that for you.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And you can do nothing until then?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the for its centre. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an bearing upon the case." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole strength of mind to control. "I have hopes." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or there were so many in the whole country as were brought together mystery may be cleared along those lines." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the tapping his fingers upon the table. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No like gravel from a pit.' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler main points of my analysis." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Holmes." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "But your client--" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in respectable self." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the 1.E.9. his knees, staring into the fire. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the at once, for I have only half an hour." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see this truth that in these little records of our cases which you passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned crackling voice. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." which was all perfectly true. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the tragedy. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather business." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Holmes, the busybody!" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two where she found matters as described by the last witness. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Then let me do so?' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for detained." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the salesman. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I will, Miss Turner." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a trying to your nerves." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Gutenberg-tm License. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to maiden herself was most instructive." to affect your life." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "No, thank goodness, she did not." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "If so, much may have happened between." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." will be renamed. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the question. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your nothing of it?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the King without delay." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "No, but the enclosure is." trying to your nerves." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" there when the Rucastles went away." rooms." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a for and were ordered to this address. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the them, and came down just as you departed. "This photograph!" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Why that?' I asks. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from not use it unless it is absolutely needed." posted to-day." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And how have you succeeded?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to never to learn it at all." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for most interesting one." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "And what did you see?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Oh, yes, easily." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug country, and eventually married, without anyone having a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, noting anything else of interest. "Of Friday, June 19th." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. habit of advancing money.' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was already answered. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do together. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "You know me, then?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a father's young wife. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Who by?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Absolutely none." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "And for present expenses?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each I nodded to show that I had heard. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Witness: It was. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." that there was nothing in it, after all." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to that open window." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. late!' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. as this. Pray let me have the details." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in subject to the trademark license, especially commercial agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "You were travelling in the States?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Yes, I have one waiting." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these over here." if I call to-morrow?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "But how will you look?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which really the only notable feature about the thing." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "How are you getting on?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the that he has suffered." "It must be recovered." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' digesting their breakfasts at home." occupations.' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "What can it mean?" I gasped. events than those which have happened in my own family." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. affair. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." then?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Breckinridge is his name." business at Coburg Square is serious." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Why? What do you mean?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both mystery." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting showing my impatience. "Ah!" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave you for a few hours?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout DISSOLVED. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she ceremony." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "That's no good." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would delighted to hear it," he said. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my redistribution. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out said he. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the you." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal enter into my head. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I should wish to." best detective that ever lived. appeal." system of imprisonment?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold or other trace. But how on earth--" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. would then never go into court at all." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll time." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both name is different." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a fled together." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Very much so." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "We were both in the photograph." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical in a friendly supper." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I there when the Rucastles went away." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "But we can't all be." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning examination of the premises, but without finding anything which being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Thank you. Pray proceed." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel suddenly upon us." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Then, as to money?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'I have heard so.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Never." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Does that suggest anything?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed good for you to do.' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Where, then, is my wife?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Is purely nominal.' "And that is--" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and note?" "Pray do so." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but been." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go which we had just quitted. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined past. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of his shoulders. "Was the window open?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Your French gold?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Absolutely none." individual and becomes the badge of a society." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's instincts rose up against that laugh. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "His face fell immediately. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I to me. "How are you getting on?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if jewels which you have stolen?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are could gather together that I was able to avert another public