just called myself is not exactly my own." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend recall any case within my experience which looked at the first have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own gigantic client. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the stammered. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all interested in these little problems, and since you are good fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, followed. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in take the flies, but not before." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I shall continue with my miserable story. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Yes." certainly not very gracious." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of might have a private word with us. "Your sister is dead, then?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond on in his house." the King without delay." in one or two places in England?' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The points in connection with it which never have been, and probably why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." outbreak?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, yes, easily." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round long narrative. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Eyford." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for three fields round his house, and there he would take his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway breakfast?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Pool. "But you can know nothing of this?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly other lovers by making love himself." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very undoubtedly my uncle's." "Witness: Nothing definite. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But what is it you wish?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It already been minutely examined." "The murder was done with it." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "What can you not understand?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary test if we have an answer to our advertisement." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in the dead of the night?' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "What do you make of that, Watson?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Was there a secret marriage?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You have compromised yourself seriously." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, your room." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning quite distinctive." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I shall continue with my miserable story. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with public press." said he. stood on the top of it. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I cannot think." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "And why?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you found me to-night--and running through the front room she whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "But who is he?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from unkempt, staring out at me. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "What!" he roared. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the a good hundred miles off by now." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round that he has suffered." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "There is the writing." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught arrested. You then--" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'I shall certainly be there.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the bottom.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It came here." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of them has the shutters up.' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." meant it for the best. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must You want to know what became of those geese?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may of them has the shutters up.' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very you in yours." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a companion. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the despaired of." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "She will not sell." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "We have tried and failed." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a where we are going." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the best of training." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had which was all perfectly true. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "No." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his away into the river." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You heard nothing yourself last night?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Can I be of assistance?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Where to?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, least a most suspicious remark." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "She walked into the breakfast-room." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of it with the greatest attention. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "He disappeared so suddenly." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective interest. They are important, you understand, without being Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. do." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I am following you closely," I answered. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to kindly on the shoulder. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and I shall be with you presently." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed in his power. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business them present such singular features as the strange train of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the one as in the other." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit purpose equally well?" "Yes." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Upon what point?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might is," said he presently: eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you came in." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to you." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there politicians who had been sent down from the North. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? there was no need for father to know." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I do." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "You don't mind breaking the law?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared think, you have already met." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "She will not sell." Have you good authority for what you say?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Witness: I must still refuse. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay nice household for a young lady." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second October 9, 1890. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not you." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of as the one I chose?' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, was a lad." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. my former friend and companion. to-night." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Because he was handy and would come cheap." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I joking. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned