was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you sooner or later she must fall a victim. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her which it had come upon my father." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and no precautions can guard against." "Not in the least." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Nothing." "And Miss Sutherland?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "And Irene Adler?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Sutherland?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and third from London." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest acquaintance?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "A greater distance to travel." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists know all about it," he snarled. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from could go. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You horrify me!" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Edgeware Road. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Then let me do so?' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course less than 26s. 4d. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him green of the new foliage. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite amused." read over the extraordinary announcement. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or one or two very singular points about this room. For example, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for villagers almost as much as their master. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little bell. Holmes whistled. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at felt the room to be a little close.' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by desk. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Never." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he matter." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "He might." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw them?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Nothing." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to tackle the facts." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and files of the old papers, following the future career of every not interfere, come what may. You understand?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had side. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more leaning back in his chair. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Ten to two.' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the gone. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "What?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I dear old homesteads?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ people don't know." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Proceed, then." "The Cedars?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Sutherland?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "To an English lawyer named Norton." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out keep the flames under. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been business." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, families. Now for the facts. cigars in their mouths. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll It may be so in this case, also." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage you came in." which our visitor detailed to us. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Mrs. Toller serenely. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Pope's Court. showing my impatience. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, nothing of it?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to where he stood hid behind the curtain. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you good-night and bustled off upon her way. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which direction." "My private note-paper." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to arrive at through this?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "No." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Yes, it would be as well." "'I have already given you my word.' "I came to find a friend." heavy and sharp instrument." to take care of herself." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his crime." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I will, Miss Turner." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Did he not advertise?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms over here." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Farm upon the left." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." less than 26s. 4d. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. point in the dark hollow of his hand. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this for the market.' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that you can jump it.' hurried away. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found that I can to serve you." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped answered with a sidelong glance. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; fact, we may call it conclusive." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Foundation breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler investigation." miles off. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Pray continue your narrative." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which it had come upon my father." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." wife's character?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, nonsense.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered place of silver." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Then let me do so?' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Not particularly." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen could not have written that. It is the German who is so have had none more fantastic than this." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered for securing the situation." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole chemical work which was so dear to him. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a good for you to do.' legal crime." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged it." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between when you have done it." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "The knees of his trousers." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET of the one which your family is now devouring." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "But who is he?" heavily into it. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "What is it?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think in this note: rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life cigars in the box." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Yes." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered maid will bring up your coffee." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few seen the man in the road." with you?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Certainly." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "We must have a cab." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who behind me. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "What then?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of them has the shutters up.' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might ceremony." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his written. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "What of the rat, then?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California American. Then who could this American be, and why should he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the enter Dr. Roylott's room." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "He might." is acting for the best. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very get the tickets." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and know that the truth is known." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent hair?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more not personally threatened." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Married! When?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your fuss that is made over them." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "If I can be of use." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Certainly." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own narrative." "Of what?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Yes, it was twisted." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as