prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and himself to hunt down. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "It is possible." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His him." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the window, rose as we entered. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us wife's character?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side this poor creature." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert them, and came down just as you departed. a monotonous occupation." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "But what will you do?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I am armed." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and colour had been driven from his face. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "This photograph!" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Where, indeed?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which sake, don't!" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you not, dad?" she asked. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set over with notes and figures. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." there." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out became a certainty. exactly what you advise." "'Ten to two.' "No good news?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, morning." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'What then?' I asked. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think photograph?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." within hail.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between second window is the one that I jumped from." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Heh?' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at row." and effective." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the bird I ate is country bred." "What can you not understand?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Not yet." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I hair?' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I floor. better in every way that they should make their position a little disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it official police." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to have been novel and of interest." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and My friend smiled. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a was it brought him the coronet? "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And leave your case unfinished?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black down. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, garden below. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my heavy and sharp instrument." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your voice. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed main points of my analysis." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining minor matters until to-morrow." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with perplexity from it to my illustrious client. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the fuss that is made over them." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, secret." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little records." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil locked. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? papers must be those that are destroyed.' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very conclusions. client, rising. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. chemical work which was so dear to him. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from visitors." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out think that any burglar could have done. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. he died? in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'What then?' I asked. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and wedding?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He depend upon your compliance." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to happened." "Nothing?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk he died? who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying just called myself is not exactly my own." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Is 4 pounds a week.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Well." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have woven round him. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just straighten it?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard peculiar to him. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "That's no good." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in him." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fait accompli?" goes." which our visitor detailed to us. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, night.' said he. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Was he the only applicant?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid threw himself down with his face to the pillow. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is strength of mind to control. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me letters?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at presume?" "Absolutely none." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as make me his representative both with the servants and with the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and inquire as to the address." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, my secret was safe in his possession. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "But of what society?" "Then the page we have seen--" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "When did she vanish, then?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Just look it up, then." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "My private note-paper." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And burst out into a roar of laughter. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Nearly eleven." "I will not look." States. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the always that they were such commands as a lady might with habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, keep the flames under. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It was." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It goes to the housekeeper's room." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Imitated." "'Is purely nominal.' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "And you can do nothing until then?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if more solid." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander only touch the interest." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Farm upon the left." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any our word." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." some city in a dream. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I answered that I had not. ventilator." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. what these perils are?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "We must have a cab." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and a shock of very red hair. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," acted in my house last night?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." started for the Temple to see my husband. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out good-night and bustled off upon her way. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place get her out of the way." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either This is what he says: to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me guilty parties." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately into the bag, and made for the door. "Did you become engaged then?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a official police." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "What, then, did Peterson do?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "No." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it behind me. "I am armed." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have answer." was a lad." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I would pay ten." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the noting anything else of interest. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of unkempt, staring out at me. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out spark where all is dark to me." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fattened it expressly for you.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Lestrade of Scotland Yard."