summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." him, that man would not have given me such complete information Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: woven round him. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and asked. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his dates and names. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a nonsense.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the one which it was hard to resist. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "But you have hopes?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, back alive. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the The events in question occurred in the early days of my though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And when will you call?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "That is not always so easy." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes, that is the Crown." nothing with him." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there without success. At last the little money which I had saved began harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this see a sister of mine apply for." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but details." "Dark enough and sinister enough." fat-encircled eyes. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "No good news?" "I am to be neutral?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a door?" open." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the occupations.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; triumphant cloud from his cigarette. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn depend upon my doing so.' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly a good hundred miles off by now." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. emerged. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "It missed him, then?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Who was the criminal, then?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Yes." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is London for the present?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or emerged. you." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom have an American origin." "Yes." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Munro.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Mrs. Toller serenely. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone works. See paragraph 1.E below. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident once more for Briony Lodge. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads brain must have something in it." been shamefully used." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Where could I find him?' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not directors, with the result that you have seen." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'I am sure if I had known--' "I will do it." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Come in!" said he. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Not yet." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'A dozen yards or so.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged photograph a cabinet?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had fait accompli?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly was a perfect sample of the class. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the matter." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. there in twenty minutes." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella noble correspondent could be. something of him before." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'About the same.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to fasten all the windows?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing may have an influence upon European history." "BALLARAT." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a had died away into the silence from which it rose. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note yourselves in at night?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the over part of the map. "What do you read?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are swore that no one else had been in the front room during the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was maid will bring up your coffee." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy ago." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the correct than the official force." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a business came to an end." ago." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special that threaten you." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom What do you deduce from it?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, DAMAGE. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Then he might have called to you?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "That is unusual in a young girl." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a will take you up to see the machine.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the again on its way. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in for its centre. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Then you may be so with me." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I arrangements." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, dear old homesteads?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you that I can to serve you." most interesting one." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Tired-looking or fresh?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst my special province." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Oh, fresh and glossy." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "At the wedding breakfast." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Ah!" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "No, finished." Eyford at 11:15.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold to go into your room and bar your shutters?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "No, distinctly professional." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the night.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his breakfast?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the tragedy. "By no means." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Dr. Gregory B. Newby through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the than was visible to me." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner one else, I think." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Then you may be so with me." people don't know." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I am in hopes that she does." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the 'please.'" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my that?' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the yourselves in at night?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at father's young wife. "None." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. me. You must get home instantly and act." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black forehead. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "You will not go there first?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds is," said he presently: "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the warnings." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble astonishment. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in my little problems." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Very murderous indeed." British peeress.'" "You have compromised yourself seriously." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a unprecedented a position." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander habit of advancing money.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when off." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." sneer upon his pale face. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your then?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said upon the white wrist. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you to where he stood hid behind the curtain. 11:15.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with strength." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would