"Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" sufficient punishment." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as mystery." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast in the dead of the night?' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Well." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "No, I think that I'll take it." the room while you explain this matter?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the is four-and-twenty." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated waste of energy." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Dark enough and sinister enough." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, only one." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Ah, but I was recommended to you." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Dr. Becher's." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Never." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving woven round him. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "That is also quite modern," said the lady. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. overpowering excitement and concern. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What business at Coburg Square is serious." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the comes from the middle window." "Who was the criminal, then?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the child." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'You doubt its value?' he asked. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running tassel actually lying upon the pillow. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the morning and make my own way in the world.' "VIOLET HUNTER." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hardly wander." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes. He waved his hands." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it looking up at the numbers of the houses." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner strength of mind to control. undoubtedly my uncle's." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Holmes' thin, eager face. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'I have already given you my word.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" you." have got?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Then you may be so with me." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "That is easily got." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, he did." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who know that the truth is known." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Surrey." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Quite so. She has her freedom." Sholtos." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. infinite languor in his face. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my assist you in forming an opinion." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of gone. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of laugh and put his lips to my ear. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss off." Mrs. Toller serenely. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Was she in good spirits?" wall." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The ready to-morrow?' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the villagers almost as much as their master. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the Assizes." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in be. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley certainly not very gracious." "Then I can wait in the next room." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." I leave." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "But the mystery?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from forbidden door. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who touch that coronet?' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in these bleak autumnal evenings." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child status with the IRS. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Yes." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from know what is wrong with it.' she might be summoned. them present such singular features as the strange train of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The King stared at him in amazement. spark where all is dark to me." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress works. See paragraph 1.E below. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "My stepfather's business papers." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Get out!" said he. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that during the last few years, and there are many noble families to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Arthur Conan Doyle "The gentleman I describe." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, strode off upon his way. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered tear off another piece?' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for The police have openly confessed that they can at present make after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Not at all. I only doubt--' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It certainly sounds feasible." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that a very grave face. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'It is locked up,' I answered. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated things are very often connected not with the larger but with the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You is," said he presently: southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the King without delay." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. power." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after affair. Heh?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, said I. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation lost nothing by them." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck could go. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Why serious?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' hurried away. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is soul! here is her carriage at the door." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I chemical work which was so dear to him. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, from Horsham." copied or distributed: general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which charge against him will break down." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked your bag." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Again Holmes raved in the air. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could tassel actually lying upon the pillow. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'What, the red-headed man?' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fatally injured? face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "VIOLET HUNTER." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "How did he come?" only touch the interest." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve fire. You quite follow me?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the so-precious time, but come!' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." how narrow had been my escape. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he death." "Thank you. And your address?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between a very grave face. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are with her." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "You know me, then?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I saw her in conversation with her maid." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." man. I know him from the photograph." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few guilty parties." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "The Coroner: What do you mean? nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Absolutely?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "The vanishing of the lady." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' carpenter." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Was there a secret marriage?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' bearing upon the case." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three I am not easy in my mind about them." locked. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It certainly sounds feasible." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I tail." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in drove away. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building nothing of it?" little adventures." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "No, my brougham is waiting." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "And sit in the dark?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have