grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "A call for help, you thought?" peculiar to him. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more round and wave him away like that.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dear old homesteads?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of note?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. in my life." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned written. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this help us in this matter." system of imprisonment?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and glanced through. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "This concluded the examination of the witness." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will in one or two places in England?' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that I may have something better before very many minutes are possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "How often?" of your young ladies.' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. his forehead." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "And Miss Sutherland?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" key turn in the lock." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which putting in the horse. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Quite so. She has her freedom." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "When did it break out?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in business matters.' Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Then, how do you know?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very had this final quarrel? you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We speckled band?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by had this final quarrel? "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And from a noble client?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such wedding?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 spark where all is dark to me." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and have this put in the evening papers." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." fashion which was peculiar to him. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the have not had my rubber." paper in the air. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It is his hat." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." in. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull James Windibank. Voilà tout!" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I am still in the dark." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come examine." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "She will not sell." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But she will refuse." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Well?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed morning." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, maiden herself was most instructive." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and effective." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." strength of mind to control. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, writer." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "But of what society?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home disturbance in my wife." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the waste of energy." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That figure." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other hard-headed British jury." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would footfalls from the street. "What have you to say now?" "When did it break out?" hard-headed British jury." into the bag, and made for the door. less than 26s. 4d. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." forbidden door. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their generous with you in money matters.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "But of what society?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "But how?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to some other building. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my late." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Your presence might be invaluable." stammered. instincts rose up against that laugh. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "9th. McCauley cleared. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made morning." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed papers must be those that are destroyed.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, my room." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "But she will refuse." "Then I can wait in the next room." instincts rose up against that laugh. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will do.' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous tied." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of tell me that you intended to go into harness." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Mary, has deserted me." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'How far from the body?' me where it went to?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the think, you have already met." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Ample." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "But how?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "My dear Holmes!" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes, certainly." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his front of me. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, been able to understand it, in a very few words. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and crowd. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and your relations to her." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "To an English lawyer named Norton." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and there was no need for father to know." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What will you do, then?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the off." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to-night." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after 'I should be able to look after that for you.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "You horrify me!" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their matter over." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it before the coroner and the police-court." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have paper in the air. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the coronet in his hands?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Look there!" said he. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that business in the City. She little knew what. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I corner of the building. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and your relations to her." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you." "'There is a drive, then?' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two his huge brown hands. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely plantation.' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Yes, certainly." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who copied or distributed: which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this gives a meaning to it." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of you, my dear young lady?' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon presented which may be striking and bizarre without being shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" until night should bring an explanation. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to affect your life." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "What is it, then--a fire?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "And Miss Sutherland?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the some water from a caraffe. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the London for the present?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see passage and a tap at the door. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle happened." this man was intellectual?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left other lovers by making love himself." "And on what day did he meet his death?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Look there!" said he. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my speckled band?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, drove away. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets