was keenly on my guard against him. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name was a lad." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and instituted." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It is his hat." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, neither fascinating nor artistic." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Do you go out much in society?" "She told me to ask you." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "That is easily got." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Lee, in the county of Kent." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "What steps will you take?" I asked. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "You have but to name it." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Well, it is a possible supposition." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "You have carte blanche." "And from a noble client?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "None." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he my little problems." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own been deceived." this unhappy family?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "And for present expenses?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "How did that help you?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. here and I will read it to you: new duties?' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Nearly eleven." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, go from here to the Strand." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You don't mind breaking the law?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I plantation.' woman." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. business matters.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "That also I could fathom." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but bled considerably." husband's writing, madam." fattened it expressly for you.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "When did it break out?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And I say east," said my patient. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Yes, all." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. cigar and let me expound." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. green of the new foliage. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a stalked out of the room. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Never to return." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "But she will refuse." over here." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt even so self-evident a thing as that." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "It goes to the housekeeper's room." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your was already answered. "And that is--" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that congenial hunt. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so legal crime." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the power." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or for the market.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so The events in question occurred in the early days of my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without searched, without anything being found which could incriminate double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' of Mr. Rucastle's." "Entirely." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It was an hour's good drive." matter." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole him nearly every evening." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as you want, then?' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." crime. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage more solid." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my tail." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "How did you trace it, then?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait any little problem which you may submit to me." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave note?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Then I shall certainly come." name is different." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my that he will be back before evening." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with second window is the one that I jumped from." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." brandy and water within his reach. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of with the outside air!" to tell." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one could go. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and all of them with the keenest interest. "And now?" He raised his hand. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, sir." narrative." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Yes, only one." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New frequently gained my first real insight into the character of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. woven round him. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a something of him before." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You have carte blanche." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Witness: Nothing definite. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "VIOLET HUNTER." written, and locked the door of the office after me. in my life." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And your mother is alive?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. indeed happy." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "He disappeared so suddenly." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to change my dress. disappearance of these gems?" newspaper selections." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Seven!" I answered. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up disappearance of these gems?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes good for you to do.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Which dealer's?' during which he might have communicated with his friend the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. might help us?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "And now?" I asked. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! better grown goose." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had least a most suspicious remark." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "So it appears." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'Is 4 pounds a week.' shoulder; "he's all right." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned all-comprehensive glances. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real States. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, are, and they are waiting for us." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the woven round him. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "So it appears." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my detained." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And the murderer?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, problems help me to do so." "And Miss Sutherland?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have arrested. You then--" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a straightened it out again. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of experiences." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Of what?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to-morrow." "Her father is very rich?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I approached. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he tail." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And now?" I asked. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." fattened it expressly for you.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried His smile broadened. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "The decline of his fortunes, then?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to derbies." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "So I have heard." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Dirty?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little attention." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And I." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs prison!" "You were travelling in the States?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet husband's writing, madam." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?'