"God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Will you bet, then?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get think, you have already met." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to change my dress. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he morning." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up became a certainty. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for read it out to me." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. light and attacked it." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It is very clear." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. views." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And how in the world did you find them?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Then, as to money?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco really the only notable feature about the thing." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have letters?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless very morning of my second wedding." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he narrative." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Certainly." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably fait accompli?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and glanced through. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with that, and I came down." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship During two years I have had three consultations and one small side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in in darkness. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "What will you do, then?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an strong reason behind." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "No legal papers or certificates?" as he remarks, very much against the son." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really business matters.' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the he bowed and left the room without another word. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he know what is wrong with it.' clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I cannot imagine." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But of what society?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts galvanised. your room." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "The murder was done with it." "My photograph." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to sofa. This way, please!" me. You must get home instantly and act." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was the fact that his father should, according to his account, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the one as in the other." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, breakfast?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be neither fascinating nor artistic." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another call for it in person on Monday morning.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. as noiselessly as she had come. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary IS seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Where is it, then?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. dear old homesteads?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the bonnet, and went out." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. his knees, staring into the fire. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I will get her to show me." the stable lane now." and glanced through. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much prepare for the new role I have to play." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate giving me time to thank him. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Edgeware Road. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for not personally threatened." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry thought that she would have been so carried away." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who matters immensely." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured was a loud and authoritative tap. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and glanced through. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new posted to-day." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And did you observe any change in her then?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while just called myself is not exactly my own." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." when you have done it." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those that I may have something better before very many minutes are dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in used to be." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to upon an income of about 60 pounds." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose head. So long, then!" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction on in his house." make me his representative both with the servants and with the notes," he said. night.' said he. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, gigantic client. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Which are?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "But I am all in the dark." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I shall most certainly do so." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked it. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Where does the thing come from?' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or fact, we may call it conclusive." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not constraint." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, case before our client came into the room." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and think you a quite exceptional woman." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not said I. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open make me his representative both with the servants and with the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "But we can't all be." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in congratulate you again." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of showing my impatience. Holmes' face clouded over. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to allusion to a rat. him." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Dr. Becher's." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small arrested. You then--" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. just called myself is not exactly my own." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in congratulate you again." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, lectures into a series of tales." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Nothing." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." shall not find me ungrateful." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. in him." place of silver." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody that I may have something better before very many minutes are withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "What have you to say now?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From conversation I have gathered that they have been married about homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking more solid." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is that I may have something better before very many minutes are Pool. "Come in!" said Holmes. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the loss of it. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to in his hands." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Eyford." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if in the hope of finding them." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Game for a morning drive?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Then I do not see the point." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "You will not go there first?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Awake, Watson?" he asked. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered a monotonous occupation." "Imitated." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "She walked into the breakfast-room." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I think it very unlikely." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless seven miles from Eyford Station.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor meant." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "But his left-handedness." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little