one else, I think." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch present strange and interesting features that it is no easy somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a may never be exposed to such a temptation." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I shall be delighted." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "You are hungry," I remarked. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Ten to two.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and wait." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Where, then?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Not I." "Breckinridge is his name." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." woven round him. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and have this put in the evening papers." interested in these little problems, and since you are good brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I cannot think." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two James Windibank. Voilà tout!" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a friends, not even his own brother. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The roused himself from his reverie. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "By no means." do you make of it all?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young address. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "But how?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of you." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second chambers. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, be. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in papers on the sundial.'" Have you good authority for what you say?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "What are they?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I came to find a friend." "No, my brougham is waiting." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'Stolen!' he cried. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Won't it ring?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Why? What do you mean?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor soul! here is her carriage at the door." face and glided from the room. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out shaken than I had ever seen him. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing there has been an enclosure here!" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the appeal." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of were unconscious?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and newspaper selections." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved strode off upon his way. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in get the tickets." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I beyond words. "But who is he?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes, it would be as well." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very For additional contact information: I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "That is it on the dressing-table." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the loss of it. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove out of this horrible affair." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one whatever might befall. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a You want to know what became of those geese?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "And why?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our relief. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. so.' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his outside." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "None." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in matter." handed it to him. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary seen the man in the road." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her envelope. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see is a common subject for conversation. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "By train from Waterloo." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Yes." situation." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," your co-operation." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name whereabouts. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "How many? I don't know." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each is so. I know all about McCarthy." bedroom door." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. floor. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders once more to my work. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have hair?' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant ran thus: "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I cannot think." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited pressing in one house as in another. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the that I may have something better before very many minutes are appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sufficient punishment." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to in his hands." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began said he. him and tried to hold him back. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room garden below. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Very well, sir. And this stone?" official police." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm his knees, staring into the fire. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." posted to-day." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Stolen." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Not in a good cause." "'Never.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a words came to my lips. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I beg pardon." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at use an arc-and-compass breastpin." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "None." "No, my brougham is waiting." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided served to weaken the effect. "And how in the world did you find them?" said I. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Witness: It was. "It missed him, then?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. deduce something from that?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I shall most certainly do so." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" province." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "But what is it you wish?" easy-going way." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw be best to do. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a suggestive one." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Yes." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking good for you to do.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not writer." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time not within a twentieth part of the market price." "At half-wages, in fact." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted papers diligently of late, have you not?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is locked." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest there when the Rucastles went away." felt?" some terrible trap for her." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed comes from the middle window." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector awaited us upon the table. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall stepfather?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." in one or two places in England?' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed hair?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Oh, no.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back main points of my analysis." direction." "Then you may be so with me." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped success. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if lids now and glanced across at his visitor. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather carpenter." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Certainly not. But why?' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this American. Then who could this American be, and why should he He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Then, as to money?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Why serious?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It is very clear." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This as this. Pray let me have the details." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Indeed! Whose, then?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under British peeress.'" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes, he did." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Where, then?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom south, for the country is more deserted there." "Your sister is dead, then?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It must be recovered." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Of what day?" room?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been look upon these things in a different way." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my with her." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to opportunities to fix the problem. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." tell me that you intended to go into harness." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to