"In heaven's name, what for?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And why?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A me, and I could not think that his explanation of the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." plantation.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed returning from some small jollification and was making his way grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the driver. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good strong and stiff." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an with frightened eyes at his accuser. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was bears upon the case?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Look there!" said he. garden below. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend ceremony." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. individual and becomes the badge of a society." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' prisoner's face. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the society." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, of the one which your family is now devouring." "Precisely." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most it? Did I buy the geese off you?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. next day. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he touch that coronet?' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Stolen!' he cried. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes populous neighbourhood." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. tightly behind him. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice maid will bring up your coffee." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with bedroom door." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "My photograph." will he say when he returns?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "At the wedding breakfast." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his case-book, which he consulted. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I guessed as much." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Never." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" you?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. never to learn it at all." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was your equipment. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "But you were on a friendly footing?" manager. "Ten will be early enough." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking jewels which you have stolen?' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the writers could invent nothing more crude." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who his eyes and forehead. morning." "Well, but China?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" second." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and will he say when he returns?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I saw her in conversation with her maid." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And how did he make his money?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, you." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Count Von Kramm." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Well." little adventures." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Thank you. And your address?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE matter." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "To an English lawyer named Norton." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running it." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready was it brought him the coronet? He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Street. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this very old mansion. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, train.' never will be, entirely cleared up. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the himself to tell his story. "I never have." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "No, my brougham is waiting." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Precisely so. But how--" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and bears upon the case?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I have hopes." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I am still in the dark." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It is possible." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Have you good authority for what you say?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence tear off another piece?' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "To the police?" went to the Alpha were town bred." himself in a perplexing position. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "It is no ordinary one." that there was nothing in it, after all." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Yes, it was gone.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Very murderous indeed." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "But who is he?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Precisely." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I would pay ten." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked straighten it?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it was a loud and authoritative tap. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "But his lameness?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less village inn over there?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the night.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'I have already given you my word.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "My dear Holmes!" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources to-night." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Dirty?" voice. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And Irene Adler?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "The Cedars?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it some mystery and the punishment of some crime." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, only touch the interest." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." not as remarkable as your advertisement." photograph?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Leadenhall Street--and--" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not His smile broadened. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and on in his house." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of him. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire look upon these things in a different way." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the that, and I came down." "I cannot think." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "What! a murderous attack?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and fire. You quite follow me?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary him to go away.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and one of the states of the Union." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already him to be an active member of the medical profession." too. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I never have." Literary Archive Foundation "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Won't it ring?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. more solid." money should be paid at once.' "And Miss Sutherland?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. DAMAGE. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Yes, only one." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the Red-headed League." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. pressing in one house as in another. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the window, rose as we entered. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he himself in a perplexing position. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he my special province." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did better in every way that they should make their position a little Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "No, but the enclosure is." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a all that?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, absorbing." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last