Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "How long did she speak to this Alice?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I see many objections to any such theory." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his long narrative. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What matter over." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. formed some opinion?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her call it cruel." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of maid will bring up your coffee." again, where I was soon asleep. is," said he presently: "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "It is true that I have been generally successful." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I dramatic, in fact." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Was she in good spirits?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from States. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and disturbance in my wife." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of suddenly upon us." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle what I may call a really hard day's work." http://gutenberg.net/license). Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. This is what he says: to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in time." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they that you saw all that I did." "Yes, I have one waiting." "Why serious?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his grey eyes. bell. Holmes whistled. "That is it on the dressing-table." do.' him!" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that already referred to. redistribution. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Yes, but only for you and me." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an bore every mark of being an average commonplace British grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two records." should be so warm over such a trifle." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Henry Baker is a member." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I am all attention, madam." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "He is still with you, I presume?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "To the police?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the tragedy. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in bare slabs of marble. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between despair." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "And from a noble client?" intrusion of other matters." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though forehead. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Did you observe the colour?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. DAMAGE. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "You have the photograph?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "No, distinctly professional." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to even so self-evident a thing as that." throat." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I have seen the police." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was door?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Well, but China?" "And the murderer?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to good-night and bustled off upon her way. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," photograph?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and depend upon your compliance." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master conduct the inquiry." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And who is her maid?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Oh, fresh and glossy." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "You have but to name it." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the might help us?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Yes, only one." "And who is her maid?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "And you thought he was pulled back?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of tell him that I know him to be innocent." British peeress.'" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is prepare for the new role I have to play." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I came to find a friend." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey criminal. We have already had experience of such." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let fatally injured? apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But he might be a bachelor." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "What shall I do?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you shall not find me ungrateful." "I was sure that I might rely on you." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on friends, not even his own brother. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Not I." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your done what I asked you, Jones?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had said I. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Who was the criminal, then?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I seen the man in the road." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which papers on the sundial.'" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable means taking possession of that which another person has a prior therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, like that before?" present." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, evidence," I remarked. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Not him." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Arthur Conan Doyle "And why in hopes?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Yes, the wine-cellar." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, conceal it?" "He is still with you, I presume?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'I am sure that I do not know.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to-night." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for most interesting one." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the his wife has ceased to love him." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Clair, of Lee." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in cigar and let me expound." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual occurred." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the residence of the great financier. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, straightened it out again. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" woven round him. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few union?" like gravel from a pit.' from you?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were my friend's incisive reasoning. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his evidence," I remarked. wanted for ourselves." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking future lives." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he friends, not even his own brother. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in ordinary clothes on?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" thought that she would have been so carried away." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Precisely." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to-morrow." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a excitement. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled voice, changing her seat as requested. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the warnings." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a meant." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "But how?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I might help us?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fishes. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Always." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really gone. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Very truly yours, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the written, and locked the door of the office after me. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Holmes." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It is very kind of you." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "What then?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in trifles." people don't know." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without man. I know him from the photograph." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" comes from the middle window." "Come in!" said Holmes. them, and came down just as you departed. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat know that the truth is known." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to a light-house. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between appointment with me for six o'clock?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid money should be paid at once.' constraint." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would into the room. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I side. "No good news?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and lost nothing by them." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a once more to my work. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as address. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I house for five minutes.' "Get out!" said he. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side.