But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have pound a week." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change girl said." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven at once, for I have only half an hour." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "You think that he is dead?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'What, the red-headed man?' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to highly," said Holmes. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every friend's singular character. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Never." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Perhaps we may make them less so." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I would give my fortune to have them back." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in his power. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I am to be neutral?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "How did you trace it, then?" "ARAT," I read. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'I have already given you my word.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the matter?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Imitated." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can John Swain, of St. Augustine. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'I am sure that I do not know.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes, he did." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'It is locked up,' I answered. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Serpentine Avenue. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Was he the only applicant?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see tell him that I know him to be innocent." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "The rest you will leave in our hands." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, just called myself is not exactly my own." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It is possible." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one national property. I was determined that the law should have its edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any fattened it expressly for you.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch conversation I have gathered that they have been married about is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, something of him before." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "How did you deduce the select?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'A dozen yards or so.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I companion quietly. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. directors, with the result that you have seen." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Serpentine Avenue. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of it with the greatest attention. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the clanging. "That sounds a little paradoxical." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I was sure that I might rely on you." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, outside." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Ample.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." my secret was safe in his possession. "I cannot tell." "Ah!" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO too. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a are, I think, all that we need." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Mary, has deserted me." said he. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my important." "And your mother is alive?" "'Yes.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that The police have openly confessed that they can at present make side. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the matter." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the night.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner things are very often connected not with the larger but with the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I would pay ten." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am was it brought him the coronet? said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "But she will refuse." questionable one." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. past. extraordinary contortions. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I am following you closely," I answered. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room away into the river." extraordinary contortions. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but learned something! Where are the gems?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "To the police?" I nodded to show that I had heard. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others room?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "But what will you do?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further murdered man." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Street. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the address that was given us in the advertisement. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our remarked. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a straighten it?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was head. So long, then!" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Of what day?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "One of his hands." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'And the work?' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but tear off another piece?' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And from a noble client?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I leave." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "By no means." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "The rest you will leave in our hands." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, have an American origin." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there coroner's jury." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending best detective that ever lived. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he him. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Thank you. Pray proceed." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Pope's Court. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the said I. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His gone. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have you understand?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your be best to do. pierced for earrings?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "What is it?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, was a lad." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Precisely so. But how--" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and it need not interfere very much with one's other prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Ah!" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "None." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one British peeress.'" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the coronet in his hand?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become with her." "Yes." "And leave your case unfinished?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the which it had come upon my father." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Does that suggest anything?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and looked back. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Just look it up, then." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Sutherland?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Where did you address your letters, then?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it other means.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to were new raised from a basin. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt despair." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to brain must have something in it." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to tackle the facts." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure then?" gone. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a look upon these things in a different way." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little learned something! Where are the gems?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I beg pardon." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it purpose equally well?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten experiences." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden