"Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we following enigmatical notices: change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No legal papers or certificates?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "But you can know nothing of this?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Is he quiet?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Not particularly." as yours." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully said he at last. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the read over the extraordinary announcement. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And how did you verify them?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Whose house is it?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with wanted for ourselves." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a within hail.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the general public were present, then?" became a certainty. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "No." conclusions. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty corner of the building. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over whole matter to your consideration." suspect him." it. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "That is it on the dressing-table." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I society." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this not come at once?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "My dear Holmes!" "And leave your case unfinished?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as delighted to hear it," he said. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Farm upon the left." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the mysterious business." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing all-comprehensive glances. "The vanishing of the lady." during which he might have communicated with his friend the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe which our visitor detailed to us. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said you do it in twenty minutes!' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "You have the photograph?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of towards the blaze. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could chambers. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The gentleman I describe." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and vault. said I. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not spark where all is dark to me." My friend smiled. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in back alive. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." helping a boy to put up the shutters. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. spark where all is dark to me." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we get the tickets." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Because he was handy and would come cheap." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the what I may call a really hard day's work." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage you?' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back bird of prey. me." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Very much so." his wife has ceased to love him." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your will not take me long to tell. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the mystery!" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of the vacancies.' Holmes' room. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the coronet at all injured?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is very clear." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will not personally threatened." have not had my rubber." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "But you have hopes?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I say it is." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of this gang." "Nothing?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker whole matter to your consideration." "I cannot imagine." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his papers diligently of late, have you not?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches served to weaken the effect. infinite languor in his face. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself help us in this matter." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house cigars in their mouths. "And you can do nothing until then?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being chill to my heart. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Have you her photograph?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And how did you find out?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "My photograph." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Certainly, madam." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "My Mary? Impossible!" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so very old mansion. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out all that?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, touch that coronet?' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "You will not go there first?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and that threaten you." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the inquest, and which are worth considering." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "It is half-past ten now." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I long narrative. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the it right.' in. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" have accepted such a situation. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had at my remark. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm dates and names. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly that I am arrested." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of His smile broadened. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what appeal." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. horse could go." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the coronet in his hands?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the 'please.'" gives a meaning to it." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "That you are never beaten." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out undoubtedly my uncle's." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Your presence might be invaluable." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I see many objections to any such theory." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I should like to see him very much." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of murdered man." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a before, for it was considerably after midnight. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Really! You surprise me." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my something of him before." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose business." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Again Holmes raved in the air. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Proceed, then." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" on in his house." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my suddenly upon us." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Entirely.' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining been deceived." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her o'clock is it?" "I will, Miss Turner." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and you do it in twenty minutes!' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was foot. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to man. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter not, dad?" she asked. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and stammered. your own bird, so if you wish--" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in gone. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be