last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." thought that she would have been so carried away." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Pray let us have it, for all that." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the meant it for the best. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and assist you in forming an opinion." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Why that?' I asks. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole you." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner wedding?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "This photograph!" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand you in your example." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "So it appears." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to retorted upon me, and I on you." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, careless servant girl?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and looked back. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "But how will you look?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that digesting their breakfasts at home." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you points to suicide?" fear." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Holmes' room. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "And how did you find out?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, persecution?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which DAMAGE. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And you thought he was pulled back?" with her." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Witness: I must still refuse. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police of note-paper. It read in this fashion: beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "What, then?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six without a word or a look. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your both be extremely obliged.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I leave." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed new duties?' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "And you don't know his address?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "To the police?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "How about poison?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "And on what day did he meet his death?" interests were the same as his." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the side-table." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and have one." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or For additional contact information: we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the ceiling. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this over here." "But what harm can there be in that?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Certainly." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at followed. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that lost his Christmas dinner." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. you in your example." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from into the bag, and made for the door. "It surprised me." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he felt the room to be a little close.' he. "What?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fishes. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced man. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." out of this horrible affair." of Fenchurch Street." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events less than 26s. 4d. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to strength." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite not fit the lock." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I see many objections to any such theory." friend's singular character. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "No, thank goodness, she did not." presume?" of receipt of the work. detective. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "We have tried and failed." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past place, I think that there is good ground to think that the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the deduce something from that?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's could go. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is acted in my house last night?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that awaited us upon the table. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Yes?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of particular state visit http://pglaf.org this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in derbies." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Which surely he restored to their owner?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Oh, fresh and glossy." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what do." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and know that the truth is known." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. ceremony." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell points to suicide?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and it need not interfere very much with one's other man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note too. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Do you know him?" "Where, then, is my wife?" It may be so in this case, also." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Miss Holder?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "His face fell immediately. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the so-precious time, but come!' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It is no ordinary one." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Nothing." made him keep the appointment." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "And it is--" strode off upon his way. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to that open window." "'Very good.' or in danger--" in his hands." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'Ample.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "You have but to name it." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. respectable self." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were beyond words. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means charge against him will break down." hair?' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "And who is her maid?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Yes.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay only touch the interest." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is own family. hurried away. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hurried away. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You were travelling in the States?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "But what harm can there be in that?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Project Gutenberg-tm works. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "But you were on a friendly footing?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep ran thus: "In what way?" asked Holmes. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them States. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Of what?" I leave." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before open." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Serpentine Avenue. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the done what I asked you, Jones?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "No. What a strange idea!" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, round with crates and massive boxes. wife's character?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora interest. They are important, you understand, without being lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out too. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's other lovers by making love himself." fire. You quite follow me?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the bottom.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this assist you in forming an opinion." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been asked. bill, which interests me deeply."