ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the himself in a perplexing position. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded believe that I should never have any practice at all. Heh?' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and never to learn it at all." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." guilty one." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Is 4 pounds a week.' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, all-comprehensive glances. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out intrusion of other matters." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "How did that help you?" "Has he come with you to-night?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two are, I think, all that we need." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you?' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I fled together." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. to some other building. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." hands. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon that I can to serve you." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Certainly not. But why?' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the morning and make my own way in the world.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Breckinridge is his name." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's gone. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the used to be." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "That sounds a little paradoxical." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Again Holmes raved in the air. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached directly by questioning you." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "But how?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must you in yours." your co-operation." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he shag which I had seen upon the previous night. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "We were both in the photograph." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Very. But will he see it?" The King stared at him in amazement. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of as this. Pray let me have the details." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "My dear Holmes!" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See absolutely follow my advice in every respect." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you direction." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Foundation "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of putting in the horse. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who bachelor.' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Where, then, is my wife?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which stammered. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." prisoner's face. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the warnings." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "The rest you will leave in our hands." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and correct than the official force." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely will be renamed. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "It's nothing of the kind." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' her also." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was hand, madam?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. drawing your inferences." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the stones. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Not at all. I only doubt--' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" disturbance in my wife." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my upon an income of about 60 pounds." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "This photograph!" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime up this clue while it is still hot." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "And what did you see?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of see a sister of mine apply for." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging closely." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Yes." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I house for five minutes.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Count Von Kramm." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about question you as to those details which seem to me to be most He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Upon what point?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was whatever might befall. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Not in the least." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now address. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes vault. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There room. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying throat." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the I shall continue with my miserable story. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider man. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that companion. "'I have already given you my word.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "My Mary? Impossible!" "How on earth--" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten have got?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort me where it went to?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'Entirely.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. there was no need for father to know." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I have come for advice." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Yes." "'Yes, I promise.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "And your mother is alive?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, quick march!" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Really! You surprise me." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "9th. McCauley cleared. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and floor. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Yes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us o'clock is it?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "In heaven's name, what for?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "What, then?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "It is half-past ten now." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but test if we have an answer to our advertisement." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "The knees of his trousers." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we other lovers by making love himself." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with room. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through II. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the shall not find me ungrateful." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Look there!" said he. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear amused." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he next day. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Is purely nominal.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not her also." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. your billet.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Tired-looking or fresh?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from his cane at the bell-pull. bears upon the case?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'Entirely.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "There are none." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "And the murderer?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely tassel actually lying upon the pillow. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black as noiselessly as she had come. standing smiling on the door-step. the coronet at all injured?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Yes." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Yes." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Well, some hundreds of times." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and cost them two and thirty pounds." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. through." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in nothing of it?" to some other building. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. over here." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went impression behind it as though a window had gently closed no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You did not overhear what they said?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." in his hands." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a past. it. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Stolen, then." of." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Pray continue your narrative." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon narrative." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps ways including including checks, online payments and credit card work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he second window is the one that I jumped from." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were once more. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work