be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have definite end. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his which it had come upon my father." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been cup of tea. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I cannot imagine." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me himself to hunt down. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "What will you do, then?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I saw her in conversation with her maid." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put upon the shelf for the interim." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. green of the new foliage. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in to tell." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the second window is the one that I jumped from." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "In answer to an advertisement." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Then you may entirely rely on me." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Why serious?" second." on in his house." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the King without delay." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "How about poison?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from examine." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was should be so warm over such a trifle." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That man. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover business." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the writer." "I was afraid that you were engaged." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America followed. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Look there!" said he. papers on the sundial.'" was a loud and authoritative tap. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'And what salary do you ask?' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking begun to whiten, even as mine has." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, deduce something from that?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing in this note: "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view pierced for earrings?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., in darkness. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets him." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the be best to do. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. know what is wrong with it.' "By all means." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no his fortune, and I went back to pa. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I will try. What is it?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I held the little printed slip to the light. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving fattened it expressly for you.' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door unprecedented a position." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is peculiar to him. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my delighted to hear it," he said. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I nodded again. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she his wife has ceased to love him." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "The King of Scandinavia." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the compunction about shooting them down." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "It was an hour's good drive." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Seven!" I answered. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for as yours." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the dangers which encompass me." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Then, as to money?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you should be taken.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "This photograph!" "Bought." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick is a common subject for conversation. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I have come for advice." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I am sure." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "How are you getting on?" Stoke Moran." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Here?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and laid it on the table. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case certainly not very gracious." had this final quarrel? "Then he might have called to you?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be companion. "Yes, all." was lame." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "He slept on the premises." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it outbreak?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person against a man in the prime of life?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Sutherland. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "No." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "My last client of the sort was a king." your sleep?' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "That you are never beaten." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You have carte blanche." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Dr. Gregory B. Newby refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the morning." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are crime." and the colonel ushered me in. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and capable of preserving a secret.' you." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The your only hope of safety." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and if only as a check to my own memory." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Never." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a walking." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Certainly, madam." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment nice household for a young lady." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Then I am your man." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when From what you have told me I think that it is possible that shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full examination of the premises, but without finding anything which triumphant cloud from his cigarette. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the running down." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that do.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'And the work?' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Sutherland?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Holmes. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to tackle the facts." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. that you wished to speak to me?' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he feature." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Then, as to money?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover look upon these things in a different way." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace against a man in the prime of life?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'And what salary do you ask?' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been village inn over there?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Yes." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "It is no ordinary one." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "No. What a strange idea!" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the ceiling. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous fact, we may call it conclusive." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Munro.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second that the gas is not laid on in his house?" instituted." "How many? I don't know." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." you give your casting vote to?" Eyford at 11:15.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive persecution?" "Ah!" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I am armed." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the inner apartment." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty he bowed and left the room without another word. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Very much so." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. make me his representative both with the servants and with the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Why that?' I asks. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "None." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "It may not come to that," said Holmes. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Never.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest promised to bring home. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. himself to tell his story. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "That also I could fathom." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my disappearance of these gems?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then,