strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Very much so." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. her also." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "What then?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have unprofitable." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire go--none." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I say that I have solved it." to some other building. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for use an arc-and-compass breastpin." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." States. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Yes, it would be as well." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the have not had my rubber." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be secret." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations pity, because in other respects you would really have done very were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, had a long day." to affect your life." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three tassel actually lying upon the pillow. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and more terrible than the truth. forehead. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Which are?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "On Monday." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "9th. McCauley cleared. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about for the market.' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ordinary clothes on?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common thought that she would have been so carried away." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked not, dad?" she asked. about. "What do you mean?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and all of them with the keenest interest. coat-tails." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable posted to-day." "He is still with you, I presume?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark will he say when he returns?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Very good.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked would apply.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Yes, all." not within a twentieth part of the market price." said I. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "The landlord of the Alpha." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Leadenhall Street--and--" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out closely." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not train.' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more upon the white wrist. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I am all attention, madam." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark should be so warm over such a trifle." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "My dear Holmes!" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to we went to search for him, face downward in a little panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And why?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and glanced through. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its side. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the stable lane now." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the side-table." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it indiscretion." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the his knees, staring into the fire. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, your room." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and habit of advancing money.' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was acted in my house last night?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Yes." go from here to the Strand." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an putting in the horse. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "My last client of the sort was a king." good-night and bustled off upon her way. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down when you have done it." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I answered that I had not. distinguish the words: The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Certainly." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." you in yours." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "No good news?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Yes. He waved his hands." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Dirty?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said respectable self." "'In my own bureau.' Dr. Gregory B. Newby with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our there has been an enclosure here!" "And how did you verify them?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Only as much as we can deduce." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over jewels which you have stolen?' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "But I am all in the dark." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. fat-encircled eyes. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Holmes' room. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of she might be summoned. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. occupations.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and a shock of very red hair. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Chief Executive and Director gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. at once, for I have only half an hour." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each present." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you front of me. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, voice, changing her seat as requested. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of this gang." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and said he at last. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Was he the only applicant?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. upon a handsome competence. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Come in!" said he. "Why, what do you mean?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for really the only notable feature about the thing." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I think it very unlikely." conceal it?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'What, the red-headed man?' to surprise her." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and the colonel ushered me in. "What then?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Why serious?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to-night?" I asked. "And how did you verify them?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "What?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "It is possible." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And you can do nothing until then?" "Seven!" I answered. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Very murderous indeed." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have directly by questioning you." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the his wife has ceased to love him." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Dark enough and sinister enough." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "And how in the world did you find them?" "But she could not love him." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Arthur Conan Doyle He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your figure." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Her father is very rich?" maiden herself was most instructive." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. could go. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to talk it over. Chief Executive and Director the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, success. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot take the flies, but not before." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Stolen!' he cried. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "But you have hopes?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "By all means." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I cannot say that I have." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind me upon any point which I do not make clear." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Certainly." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Edgeware Road. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the best of training." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I closely." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'And what salary do you ask?' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon clang of the bell. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked other lovers by making love himself." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have got?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their whatever might befall. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Yes, sir.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged examine." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "How did he come?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my been with you?" "What then?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we would then never go into court at all." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those conversation I have gathered that they have been married about fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and shall probably return to London by the evening train." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'A dozen yards or so.' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did your troubles." yards of it?' not within a twentieth part of the market price." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "What office?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a