us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking her also." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It is his hat." the one as in the other." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower upon a handsome competence. article?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through at my own good fortune. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had stalked out of the room. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "No." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing colonel looking down at me. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious read over the extraordinary announcement. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "To an English lawyer named Norton." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as be.' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. train.' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' other lovers by making love himself." of campaign. "The vanishing of the lady." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the said I. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was fasten all the windows?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Nothing." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the ceiling. "So I heard. You have him here?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in round with crates and massive boxes. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Is 4 pounds a week.' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune meant it for the best. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I shall most certainly do so." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off presented which may be striking and bizarre without being papers diligently of late, have you not?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and no precautions can guard against." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it as he folded up the epistle. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Certainly." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with questioning and rather startled gaze. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Certainly." interest. They are important, you understand, without being his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from The police have openly confessed that they can at present make method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "The knees of his trousers." shoulder; "he's all right." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation this man was intellectual?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I say that I have solved it." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I standing smiling on the door-step. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were stalked out of the room. ashen face. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Witness: I must still refuse. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Then what has happened to him?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." at my own good fortune. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the unprecedented a position." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. down. she might be summoned. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "It missed him, then?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Holmes, the busybody!" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "We have tried and failed." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Will you bet, then?" vanished into the darkness. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "My own seal." go from here to the Strand." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "He slept on the premises." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "It is possible." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it room. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." call for it in person on Monday morning.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his mystery." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings fashion which was peculiar to him. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Nothing?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a into the room. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and have this put in the evening papers." case before our client came into the room." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "There is the writing." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the beg that you will break it off." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate constraint." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at enter Dr. Roylott's room." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of mysterious end." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of fattened it expressly for you.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon results." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to go into your room and bar your shutters?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as was keenly on my guard against him. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Can I be of assistance?" "Nearly eleven." was a perfect sample of the class. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that?' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks some water from a caraffe. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her she to prove their authenticity?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. photograph?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and your relations to her." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "He is dead," cried several voices. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my his face which made him a very different person to the round, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and all of them with the keenest interest. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" quite distinctive." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, hair?' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something your troubles." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a back into the street. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Whose house is it?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "That is not always so easy." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both some city in a dream. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Holmes' room. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." dates and names. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and the colonel ushered me in. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray yet." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Ah, but I was recommended to you." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has habit of advancing money.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his may have an influence upon European history." row." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden signal between you and your father? my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! 1.F. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have got?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I don't believe it." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his walking." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Stolen, then." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular power." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "No?" "Very murderous indeed." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" served to weaken the effect. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But what harm can there be in that?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this man. I know him from the photograph." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Perfectly so." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's furiously. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we mysterious business." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the very morning of the wedding." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing intrusion of other matters." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "No. What a strange idea!" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "One of his hands." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "And that is--" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that tell them apart.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? memory. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began gone. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "9th. McCauley cleared. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not your only hope of safety." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Cross for the Continent." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I should like to see him very much." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing burst out into a roar of laughter. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I cannot as yet see any connection." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. sneer upon his pale face. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Get out!" said he. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her