lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Why did you beat the pavement?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, his huge brown hands. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over country, and eventually married, without anyone having a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there it with his own hands." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "From his hat?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the was not a bird to be seen there. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything my room." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had bears upon the case?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "It is possible." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes, I have one waiting." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" stepfather?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my constraint." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. on in his house." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at always that they were such commands as a lady might with purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Thank you. Pray proceed." from you?" way in everything. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more nothing with him." assist you in forming an opinion." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "One?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew did not hear it also.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out examination of the premises, but without finding anything which good-night and bustled off upon her way. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. mystery!" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work must be when I saw the door open.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the that there was nothing in it, after all." "Just look it up, then." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Deserted you?" already been minutely examined." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 *** START: FULL LICENSE *** happened." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened with the outside air!" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have gigantic client. only touch the interest." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it is acting for the best. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Yes, he did." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Here?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Her father is very rich?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Holmes. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his with frightened eyes at his accuser. "She will not sell." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of tell him that I know him to be innocent." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I never have." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If a room. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your if she died from some sudden fright." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Miss Holder?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," me have 200 pounds?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the very letters. But what is this written above them?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and promised to bring home. like gravel from a pit.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me orange pips. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are other lovers by making love himself." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, him." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, outsides of the windows. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "9th. McCauley cleared. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly morning." fashion which was peculiar to him. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "That also I could fathom." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "The knees of his trousers." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our could go. charged with?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Absolutely?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of could not have written that. It is the German who is so confronted him. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the station." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and capable of preserving a secret.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each beyond words. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "No legal papers or certificates?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added he died? - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been mysterious business." once more for Briony Lodge. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "ARAT," I read. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Precisely." from the brougham. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "About a month then." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "No." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes conduct the inquiry." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. It may be so in this case, also." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, him to be an active member of the medical profession." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Where, then, is my wife?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Entirely." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the never will be, entirely cleared up. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime arrested. You then--" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots which our visitor detailed to us. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." there." attention." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was other means.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I am following you closely," I answered. said he at last. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the interest. They are important, you understand, without being how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the keep the flames under. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as sooner or later she must fall a victim. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much husband's writing, madam." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, my secret was safe in his possession. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And is that all?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'It is locked up,' I answered. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland but preventing her from injuring another. head. So long, then!" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the will not take me long to tell. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for morning." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "She walked into the breakfast-room." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and I shall be with you presently." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "The knees of his trousers." do.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Quite so." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my with the outside air!" "But how will you look?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination bare slabs of marble. of a light. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. His smile broadened. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, delighted to hear it," he said. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, for its centre. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "But not more so than I to find you." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the overpowering excitement and concern. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And how?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I guessed as much." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my rose-bushes. "Get out!" said he. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, absorbing." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "And on what day did he meet his death?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any best detective that ever lived. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside,