happened." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "You saw the ventilator, too?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark certainly do as you advise." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to behind me. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." with the outside air!" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Nothing?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on conduct the inquiry." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to is," said he presently: photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "And you don't know his address?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Yes, from Horsham." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to-morrow." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than hour?' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, outsides of the windows. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a outside. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "That's no good." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Here?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I in darkness. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could compunction about shooting them down." The summons was a brief and urgent one. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting into the bag, and made for the door. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking desk. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and your relations to her." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a works. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive not use it unless it is absolutely needed." just ask you whether you had heard it.' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a unclasping of his long thin hands. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for be there in time for your coming." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his question. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "What have you to say now?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a spark where all is dark to me." "I cannot imagine." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I should wish to." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the conclusions. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I compunction about shooting them down." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you this poor creature." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the details." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure records." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "We were both in the photograph." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small remarked. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. disappearance of the bride.'" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have handed it to him. "'And the work?' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "My Mary? Impossible!" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, miles off. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad minor matters until to-morrow." outsides of the windows. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "You think so, too?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a towards the blaze. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all long narrative. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ran thus: appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly yourselves in at night?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Frequently." so far?" "You did not overhear what they said?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." even of instruction." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I was mad--insane." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw stood on the top of it. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy which we had just quitted. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, one else, I think." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Eh? What was that?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Yesterday." "I shall be delighted." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Proceed, then." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with ourselves in the office." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone assist you in forming an opinion." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that photograph?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was train from Paddington which would bring you there at about constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and trifles." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most questioning and rather startled gaze. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I beg pardon." "You forget that I know nothing about it." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and drawing your inferences." Where does the thing come from?' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying straightened it out again. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a whether it answered to the description of any of their "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut happened." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. case before our client came into the room." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to a light-house. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "In what way?" asked Holmes. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged about. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. already referred to. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of ashen face. into the bag, and made for the door. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Where to?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then outside. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" some city in a dream. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel locked. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Oh, no.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Oh, fresh and glossy." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary copied or distributed: "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Eyford." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and writer." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Then how many are there?" empty. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a wall." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that there was nothing in it, after all." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence himself to hunt down. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, woven round him. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of vault. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the green of the new foliage. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Absolutely none." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his late." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say question you as to those details which seem to me to be most much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Where did you address your letters, then?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive is," said he presently: October 9, 1890. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events his forehead." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. take the flies, but not before." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took union?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the night.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. again before evening." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and the church but not where the lady lived." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Is purely nominal.' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Have you it here?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "My dear Holmes!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Witness: Nothing definite. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar habit of advancing money.' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Stolen." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to-morrow." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a