"When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in your London, you will know that the office of the company is as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," States. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project absorbing." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point better grown goose." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my cigar and let me expound." touch that coronet?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." me where it went to?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Yes, from Horsham." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Very. But will he see it?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, when you have done it." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Clair, of Lee." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Very much so." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to in this note: "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon simple cases which are so extremely difficult." I have it here in my museum." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Serpentine Avenue. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis a very grave face. Mary, has deserted me." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "To ruin me." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I other lovers by making love himself." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him four million human beings all jostling each other within the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." whole matter to your consideration." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Is purely nominal.' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "That is possible." "No?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Gutenberg-tm License. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "What, then?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith brought there to personate someone, and the real person is sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And when will you call?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. child?' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he exactly what you advise." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I am in hopes that she does." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It is very kind of you." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one invisible to me," I remarked. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me cause to be." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and one of them." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "If I can be of use." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I cannot tell." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that I am arrested." "Yes, I have one waiting." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land mysterious business." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in attention." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the approach us with offers to donate. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the coronet at all injured?" II. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you our word." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to me. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. more terrible than the truth. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I have my revolver," said I. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining that I can to serve you." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "You horrify me." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed It was close upon four before the door opened, and a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It surprised me." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in highly," said Holmes. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I purpose of examination. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself chill to my heart. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. II. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love asked. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Not him." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Ah!" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and this remarkable episode. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking how narrow had been my escape. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." with you?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I should like to see him very much." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Upon what point?" "I cannot say that I have." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. once more. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and empty. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during out." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit sneer upon his pale face. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I have hopes." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, wedding?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy as he remarks, very much against the son." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Ha! you find it so?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up The events in question occurred in the early days of my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "It was." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of may have an influence upon European history." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "None." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "No more words. Get out!" "Then I shall certainly come." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at kindly on the shoulder. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the meant it for the best. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I what do you think they found in the pockets?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It must be recovered." Holmes' thin, eager face. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "What is it?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a them?" bill, which interests me deeply." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my true." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be already referred to. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately lips." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "At the wedding breakfast." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who held up the lantern and gazed about him. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called III. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general knowledge of the world." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a better in every way that they should make their position a little eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Did you become engaged then?" most interesting one." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the away to you." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and pressing in one house as in another. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had any." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "A client, then?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was swore that no one else had been in the front room during the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the matter." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said telegram would bring me down to your help." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, coroner's jury." unprofitable." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable chill to my heart. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What have you done?" asked Holmes. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the go from here to the Strand." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other been deceived." to talk it over. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for said I. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "No sign of it?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which there in twenty minutes." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United even of instruction." Edgeware Road. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Frequently." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually been anything against him. He had for years been known as a guilty one." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector his forehead." occurred." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for writer." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, careless servant girl?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. rooms." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter nothing of it?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "In what way?" asked Holmes. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I will, Miss Turner." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Dr. Becher's." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "But how will you look?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those maid will bring up your coffee." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You her also." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was nonsense.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." wedding?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in one or two places in England?' "How about poison?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the yet." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. copied or distributed: silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that