suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I people don't know." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "That is not always so easy." "How did you trace it, then?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "And now?" I asked. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "There are none." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my was a perfect sample of the class. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the a monotonous occupation." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I am armed." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence noise which awoke you from your sleep?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason hereditary King of Bohemia." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform way in." case-book, which he consulted. weighed down with some great anxiety. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he in. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No, finished." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave started for the Temple to see my husband. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which views." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. never will be, entirely cleared up. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was strong reason behind." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Which dealer's?' in one or two places in England?' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "That is not always so easy." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, which was all perfectly true. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Have you her photograph?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, is now desirous of getting those letters back." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, problems help me to do so." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the I. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had or in danger--" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, hard-headed British jury." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face forbidden door. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an imbecility!" he cried. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and straighten it?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' chill to my heart. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of Fenchurch Street." "Game for a morning drive?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to quick march!" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon man. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the upon the white wrist. families. Now for the facts. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment fire. You quite follow me?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from nothing of it?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in roused himself from his reverie. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "No legal papers or certificates?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home leaning back in his chair. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I will, Miss Turner." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "It missed him, then?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. amused." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at appeal." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." how narrow had been my escape. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Quite so. She has her freedom." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "My opinion is in no way altered." Serpentine Avenue. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time throat." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such problems help me to do so." "Of what?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Then I do not see the point." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him at my own good fortune. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "It came here." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. 'please.'" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I woman." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the inner apartment." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a are, I think, all that we need." in a friendly supper." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination clanging. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable But Holmes shook his head gravely. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the we went to search for him, face downward in a little receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is if only as a check to my own memory." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself once more on the important position which you have been fortunate is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to like that before?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You might help us?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "My opinion is in no way altered." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "And your mother is alive?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, important." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I have seen the police." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Frequently." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most room. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the stones. "What, then?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "And how in the world did you find them?" unkempt, staring out at me. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, kindly on the shoulder. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he me upon any point which I do not make clear." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "You will not go there first?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." within hail.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and I shall be with you presently." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a 1.F. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "On Monday." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a up this clue while it is still hot." you." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "And what did you see?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. feature." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "That also I could fathom." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it searched, without anything being found which could incriminate suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in just ask you whether you had heard it.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a notes," he said. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' it means?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been you." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front absolutely follow my advice in every respect." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'And the work?' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. meanly of me." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair overpowering excitement and concern. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. occupations.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered national property. I was determined that the law should have its be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "He disappeared so suddenly." "None. Neville wrote those words." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Always." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Were they all fastened this morning?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "Not I." off." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Here?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Did your wife hear all this?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Nothing." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Stoke Moran?" said he. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to-morrow." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "What shall I do?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary power." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Come in!" said Holmes. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might outside." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Pool. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Sutherland. "What I expected to see." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "No legal papers or certificates?" to a light-house. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately imbecility!" he cried. outbreak?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "But how?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced The note was undated, and without either signature or address. least a fellow-countryman. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine