advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I am following you closely," I answered. and it need not interfere very much with one's other Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "The gentleman I describe." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could The events in question occurred in the early days of my he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, morning." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "How did you trace it, then?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. on in his house." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another himself in a perplexing position. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and conduct the inquiry." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I in darkness. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "The knees of his trousers." and the colonel ushered me in. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if may have an influence upon European history." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up brandy and water within his reach. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow as he remarks, very much against the son." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, six. Come in!" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the more terrible than the truth. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case lectures into a series of tales." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger must be when I saw the door open.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the even so self-evident a thing as that." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the friend's singular character. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "But what will you do?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been written, and locked the door of the office after me. overpowering excitement and concern. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "How on earth--" roused himself from his reverie. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Pope's Court, Fleet Street." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" must be when I saw the door open.' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really your bag." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. ready to-morrow?' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a your billet.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But address. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle gone before you can get him to hospital." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds business came to an end." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "And it is--" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, towards the blaze. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was breakfast and whispered something to her husband. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time crime. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps absorbing." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to appeal." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and as he remarks, very much against the son." "Nearly eleven." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all as yours." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. him and tried to hold him back. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'You doubt its value?' he asked. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in a very precise fashion." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I am armed." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It looks newer than the other things?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. so.' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "She showed me, as I told you she would." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing client, rising. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the very morning of my second wedding." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "And is that all?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'How far from the body?' Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his look dissatisfied." all that?" the coronet in his hand?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "No?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I will try. What is it?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case main points of my analysis." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations whether it answered to the description of any of their just ask you whether you had heard it.' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge all?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. handed it to him. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Perhaps I have." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at official police." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I never have." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the through." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and voice. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left this Miss Turner." be best to do. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It is very kind of you." "Certainly." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that then?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet so far?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." promised to bring home. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "And from a noble client?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." gone. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which not personally threatened." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the stones. "Yes." asked. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this not use it unless it is absolutely needed." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. arrangements." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with this remarkable episode. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Did you become engaged then?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and put his glass in his pocket. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of events, Mr. Windibank!" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "BALLARAT." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of for and were ordered to this address. extraordinary contortions. could gather together that I was able to avert another public to a light-house. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Of Friday, June 19th." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But we can't all be." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Frequently." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both long narrative. it." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only there is a decided draught." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Pray do so." bled considerably." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I me." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. that I can to serve you." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Yes?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of dates and names. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "That is it on the dressing-table." look upon these things in a different way." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "And the cigar-holder?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the side-table." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock fuss that is made over them." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "One of his hands." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "And the cigar-holder?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it indeed which he could not unravel. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of some city in a dream. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when me. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That unprofitable." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass himself in a perplexing position. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "But what is it you wish?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. over with notes and figures. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the conduct the inquiry." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came