we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Upon what point?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Where does the thing come from?' something of him before." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a at home. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey where Mr. Fordham shows you.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "No, distinctly professional." "By no means." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And I." lamp. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy visitors." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And what did you see?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were a good hundred miles off by now." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange anything to do with the matter?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Lee, in the county of Kent." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no success. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton yards of it?' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Yes, he did." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Always." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I see no marks." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in matters immensely." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a for and were ordered to this address. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Indeed! Whose, then?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "When did she vanish, then?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What he bowed and left the room without another word. "But not more so than I to find you." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the telegram would bring me down to your help." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I beg pardon." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sufficient punishment." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and despair." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Come in!" said Holmes. What do you deduce from it?" learned something! Where are the gems?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these help us in this matter." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. helping a boy to put up the shutters. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by overpowering excitement and concern. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "A client, then?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "But your client--" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a said I. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will present." Mrs. Toller serenely. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the Friday. Was it to be in church?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what was a lad." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Then the page we have seen--" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was acquaintance?" passage and a tap at the door. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying once more. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been here and I will read it to you: "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before me." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to them present such singular features as the strange train of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Thank you. Pray proceed." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "ARAT," I read. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be closely." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several giving me time to thank him. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and suspect him." "'Ample.' from the brougham. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, instincts rose up against that laugh. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "My own seal." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Quite so." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new undoubtedly my uncle's." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Why did you pick him?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." sake, don't!" nice household for a young lady." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself on in his house." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes, certainly." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'Oh, no.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I careless servant girl?" yards of it?' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came him. "Pray do so." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Not yet." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'I have heard so.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Perhaps I have." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the ashen face. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' me. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have My friend smiled. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did these bleak autumnal evenings." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg quickly through a disagreeable task. child?' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like His name is Francis Prosper." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Not I." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at His smile broadened. "Precisely so. But how--" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy which we had just quitted. made his money." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" The King stared at him in amazement. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I think that I had better go, Holmes." neither fascinating nor artistic." "How did you deduce the select?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their hair?' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. nothing with him." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some straightened it out again. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Absolutely?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "My private note-paper." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "My dear Holmes!" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Ten to two.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that forbidden door. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret London for the present?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for instincts rose up against that laugh. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. breakfast?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Certainly not.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "What will you say?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And I to find an enemy." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the was shining brightly. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call past. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I shall communicate with you." "Has he come with you to-night?" "When did she vanish, then?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable there in twenty minutes." the night.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue that?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'What then?' I asked. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his again before evening." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I will try. What is it?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence an introduction to him?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I nodded again. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, developed." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "My own seal." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I have seen the police." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. populous neighbourhood." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn cost them two and thirty pounds." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. nonsense.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Stolen." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Texas, I think." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." photograph?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the Red-headed League." them present such singular features as the strange train of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. more terrible than the truth. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not if I call to-morrow?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Lee, in the county of Kent." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Well, some hundreds of times." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. time." This is what he says: black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the call for it in person on Monday morning.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel tightly behind him. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. shall use the carriage to-night." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight