"You saw the ventilator, too?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile me." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Yes." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "On Monday." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with fait accompli?" the night.' "I cannot tell." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from could go. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Certainly not. But why?' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still bill, which interests me deeply." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I am in hopes that she does." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she papers." begun to whiten, even as mine has." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I have a cab outside." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Why did you beat the pavement?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But not more so than I to find you." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will father's young wife. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! closely." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." points to suicide?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its invisible to me," I remarked. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you coroner's jury." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who astonishment. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not asked. until night should bring an explanation. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And why?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and the church but not where the lady lived." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers night.' said he. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." strength of mind to control. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the done what I asked you, Jones?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "How do you know, then?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of fire. You quite follow me?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious point our research must commence, and we will begin it by waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Never to return." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I will not look." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage matters immensely." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Come in!" said Holmes. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell seen the man in the road." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but should be so warm over such a trifle." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have nice household for a young lady." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding will take you up to see the machine.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Yes, they were peculiar boots." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his plantation.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. should be taken.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from back alive. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is clang of the bell. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though morning." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still hands. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hopeless attempt at recovering them." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of the vacancies.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I am all attention, madam." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried a little more before I quite committed myself. Leadenhall Street--and--" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "You did not overhear what they said?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the drove away. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the general public were present, then?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had himself to hunt down. "Why serious?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the where we are going." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who to a more successful conclusion." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being crime." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would gigantic client. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The right! Sit down and let us talk it over." again before evening." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face conceal it?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in hereditary King of Bohemia." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came key of the affair now." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'I have heard so.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "How long did she speak to this Alice?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation over with notes and figures. "And leave your case unfinished?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some handed it to him. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "What steps will you take?" I asked. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "And now?" He raised his hand. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no papers must be those that are destroyed.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do is," said he presently: "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind think, you have already met." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after all that?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. instituted." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It may not come to that," said Holmes. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has upon the shelf for the interim." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Nearly eleven." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one acquaintance?" "On Monday." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, manager. said I. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Street. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: floor. "'What, the red-headed man?' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" upon the shelf for the interim." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It is true that I have been generally successful." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying papers diligently of late, have you not?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "What then?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Here?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all of the efforts of the United States government and of the better persecution?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "You were travelling in the States?" "It is very kind of you." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to affect your life." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off someone who had been in Australia." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the more terrible than the truth. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your morning." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms could not account in any way for the presence of the missing even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of ways of our fellow-men." "I assure you that I am in your hands." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, certainly do as you advise." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church enter into my head. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you instituted." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'I have already given you my word.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears late!' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong to affect your life." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was a good hundred miles off by now." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Murdered?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and bachelor.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Nothing." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "But she could not love him." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Not yet." "I don't say that. Perhaps." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when upon the white wrist. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. closing the door. "The Coroner: What do you mean? am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California she to prove their authenticity?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features