He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "My own seal." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My appointment with me for six o'clock?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." prisoner's face. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of success. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." ventilator." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "He said that you could solve anything." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter conclusions. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic presented more singular features than that which was associated "'And what salary do you ask?' only touch the interest." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at coat-tails." Pool. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "But his left-handedness." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in stepfather?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Your French gold?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have one." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You did not overhear what they said?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'And what salary do you ask?' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the outside. at once, for I have only half an hour." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," bell. Holmes whistled. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed place, I think that there is good ground to think that the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the newspaper selections." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your my little problems." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking It may be so in this case, also." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering humiliation." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." o'clock is it?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Yes, he did." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "What, then?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that few hundred pounds.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "He is dead," cried several voices. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain again before evening." father's young wife. Farm upon the left." best detective that ever lived. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, enter into my head. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I have a cab outside." here." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Ten to two.' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a will be renamed. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed carriage. It was a chestnut." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the purpose equally well?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Will you go?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as which are rolled in Rotterdam." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Precisely." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "How often?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "But to whom?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, than to us. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through in this note: and a shock of very red hair. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "None." will he say when he returns?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." him." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "My stepfather's business papers." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Precisely." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I never have." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the kindly on the shoulder. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are colonel looking down at me. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to your most interesting statement." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a him." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" said he. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third It may be so in this case, also." "What shall I do?" you." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And why in hopes?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to desk. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" emerged. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the driver. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one attention." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Nothing." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I records." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, introspective fashion. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not footfalls from the street. "That is possible." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Where did you address your letters, then?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "But you have hopes?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in coat-tails." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the coronet at all injured?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "But his left-handedness." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke to you." to-night?" I asked. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of Fenchurch Street." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly have got?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Yes?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been are, and they are waiting for us." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but in his hands." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "But it has twice been burgled." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience cigars in their mouths. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "It is possible." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need distinguish the words: the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sooner or later she must fall a victim. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you your billet.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "A confidential servant?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the Friday. Was it to be in church?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources bed dies. Does not that strike you?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "It is possible." who was a member of your goose club." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'And what are they worth?' I asked. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "This photograph!" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I am about to be married." she used." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my was already answered. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It must be recovered." his face. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring shaken than I had ever seen him. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert way in everything. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "And Miss Sutherland?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "So I have heard." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'In my own bureau.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I am still in the dark." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me go back?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again already been minutely examined." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "But how will you look?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. fat-encircled eyes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be photograph a cabinet?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by