the bottom.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, showing my impatience. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself During two years I have had three consultations and one small Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, your troubles." Dr. Gregory B. Newby there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "But how will you look?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Yes." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to was a perfect sample of the class. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. done what I asked you, Jones?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "He might." "Come in!" said Holmes. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Why did you pick him?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can address. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook have had none more fantastic than this." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I cannot tell." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of answer." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Then, how do you know?" writer." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'What are you doing there?' he asked. bird I ate is country bred." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in enter into my head. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the very morning of the wedding." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'What, the red-headed man?' her also." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have allusion to a rat. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through sound at heart." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is very kind of you." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that during that time.' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. cost them two and thirty pounds." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Then what has happened to him?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, should be taken.' he. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch country, and eventually married, without anyone having a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called The police have openly confessed that they can at present make stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must into the bag, and made for the door. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. observed. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well gone. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their be.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned cause to be." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really intrusion of other matters." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after him and tried to hold him back. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the shoulder. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a photograph?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very information in his hands the value of which he did not himself would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "And how in the world did you find them?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my at my remark. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a ready to-morrow?' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Entirely." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own companion. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well interested in these little problems, and since you are good his wife has ceased to love him." "And on what day did he meet his death?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." standing smiling on the door-step. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'I am sure that I do not know.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' them?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hour?' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather respectable self." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the works. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "So I have heard." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I will do it." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an bill, which interests me deeply." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You have carte blanche." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs breakfast and whispered something to her husband. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one lamp. "How many? I don't know." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "We have tried and failed." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own compunction about shooting them down." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "When did she vanish, then?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "No?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then article?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" have had none more fantastic than this." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." a monotonous occupation." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" he bowed and left the room without another word. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his nothing of it?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I cannot think." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' which it had come upon my father." were new raised from a basin. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two fait accompli?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the empty. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Certainly, madam." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I house for five minutes.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed green of the new foliage. I held the little printed slip to the light. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely forebodings. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, prison!" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Entirely." it with his own hands." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did http://gutenberg.net/license). "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, indeed happy." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, persecution?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' mystery." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." there." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I London for the present?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Entirely." again, where I was soon asleep. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love with you alone." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Well." overpowering excitement and concern. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. best detective that ever lived. footfalls from the street. business." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I see no marks." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table place, I think that there is good ground to think that the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, him!" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the national property. I was determined that the law should have its again, where I was soon asleep. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the coronet in his hand?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to approach us with offers to donate. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very strode off upon his way. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Nothing." him." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "What I expected to see." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "And why?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to tackle the facts." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I have come for advice." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as asked. that there was nothing in it, after all." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "He slept on the premises." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "But his lameness?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my you want, then?' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "What can you not understand?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "But how will you look?" forbidden door. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "So it appears." what I may call a really hard day's work." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a off." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander because she had spent so short a time in this country that she nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Witness: I must still refuse. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "9th. McCauley cleared. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. she used." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical up this clue while it is still hot." "Perfectly so." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary ran thus: "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and chance." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an