might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the iron safe, which he closed upon it. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like his knees, staring into the fire. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not knowledge of the world." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one back to my heart. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "He disappeared so suddenly." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Yes." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any tied." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon on in his house." "Well." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears foresight and the moral retrogression?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It is his hat." very old mansion. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two evidence," I remarked. direction." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the room while you explain this matter?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was noble correspondent could be. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "But she could not love him." head. So long, then!" "'How far from the body?' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Who was the criminal, then?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my voice. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a over with notes and figures. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Where, indeed?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may call for protection in the marriage market, for the present How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black friend's singular character. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to me. said I. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Really! You surprise me." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the works. "Where to?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but this unhappy family?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the call it cruel." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant at a side door. opportunities to fix the problem. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was business matters.' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at business matters.' the ceiling. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may guilty one." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these conversation I have gathered that they have been married about It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and said he. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. secret." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? horse could go." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend key turn in the lock." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Then how many are there?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "What!" he roared. drawing your inferences." posted to-day." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his back into the street. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You amused." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better cigars in their mouths. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then place of silver." his huge brown hands. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would washing it down with a long draught of water. whereabouts. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "So I heard. You have him here?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "In what way?" asked Holmes. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, room?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "In what way?" asked Holmes. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him It may be so in this case, also." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and glanced through. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he been shamefully used." "And when will you call?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into details." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I am still in the dark." hereditary King of Bohemia." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Sholtos." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'You doubt its value?' he asked. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Her father is very rich?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Henry Baker is a member." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the coronet in his hands?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "If so, much may have happened between." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Most admirably.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they not come at once?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it overpowering excitement and concern. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I do." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to interests were the same as his." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "You have but to name it." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded 'please.'" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had better grown goose." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to a more successful conclusion." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who you for a few hours?" himself. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Where, indeed?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I telegram would bring me down to your help." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of but preventing her from injuring another. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my during which he might have communicated with his friend the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "But what will you do?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the King without delay." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third union?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the in the dead of the night?' "That is possible." orange pips. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the existence." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the Assizes." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have garden below. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the you, my dear young lady?' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the dangers which encompass me." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "BALLARAT." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I should be immensely obliged to you." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year noble correspondent could be. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside matter." "Won't it ring?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Game for a morning drive?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "And what did you learn from him?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'You cannot say what it was?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it her also." "No, I had a dozen." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is thought that she would have been so carried away." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment weary and pale-looking. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes, that is the Crown." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with some details as to your case." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Where, indeed?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "What then?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "10th. John Swain cleared. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. wedding?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes, he did." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Quite sure, dad.' for its centre. the bed, and you in that chair." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes, sir." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "That is it on the dressing-table." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "At half-wages, in fact." "Game for a morning drive?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared this Miss Turner." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a tightly behind him. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover shoulder. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I beg pardon." "You think so, too?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the date of his supposed suicide." the coroner come to?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you in the hope of finding them." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his visitors." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it right.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But your client--" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Your sister is dead, then?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were photograph a cabinet?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I was sure that I might rely on you." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "My opinion is in no way altered." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fled together." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a