while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. License. You must require such a user to return or "Very truly yours, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "No bad?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By relief. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; promised to bring home. ceremony." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You province." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Not him." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened voice. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you really the only notable feature about the thing." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take such person." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting could not have written that. It is the German who is so was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. had a long day." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come notes," he said. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry believe that I should never have any practice at all. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is footfalls from the street. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for this Miss Turner." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "That's no good." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this could go. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have dead, shall be safe with us." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." a suggestive one." "'And the work?' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three used to be." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "In what way?" asked Holmes. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to ready to-morrow?' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then strong and stiff." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the head. So long, then!" unprecedented a position." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" cigars in their mouths. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to words came to my lips. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the is a common subject for conversation. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which astonishment. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "We must have a cab." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "You have but to name it." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away during that time.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you chamber." "And your father? Did you tell him?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." standing smiling on the door-step. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Not social, then?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some flock.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "How did you deduce the select?" your co-operation." business in the City. She little knew what. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was all?" "He said too much." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And now?" He raised his hand. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Come in!" said he. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Have you good authority for what you say?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Was your sister dressed?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Count Von Kramm." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? him. The summons was a brief and urgent one. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate indeed which he could not unravel. six. Come in!" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, he did." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "And how did he make his money?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Could he throw no light?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need fuss that is made over them." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fire. You quite follow me?" to affect your life." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So arrested. You then--" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as that he has suffered." fashion which was peculiar to him. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich bare slabs of marble. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in room. too. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Most admirably.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "When did she vanish, then?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Yes, sir." Again Holmes raved in the air. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "None. Neville wrote those words." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may house for five minutes.' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a you give your casting vote to?" "I have hopes." Eyford." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back a room. read over the extraordinary announcement. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is has little to do with my story." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you exactly what you advise." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "The murder was done with it." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid likely to be some crony of the landlady's." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "You have compromised yourself seriously." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his must compliment you." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'What, the red-headed man?' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "What of the rat, then?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and cigars in the box." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the inquest, and which are worth considering." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom cheerful." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere be there in time for your coming." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for business." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And why in hopes?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously kindly on the shoulder. Where does the thing come from?' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. gone before you can get him to hospital." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside secret." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Very much so." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' works. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Dr. Gregory B. Newby The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "And the cigar-holder?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me is four-and-twenty." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is into her hand at the door and which lured her within their result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it gbnewby@pglaf.org as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and way: much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the tragedy. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "That sounds a little paradoxical." which it had come upon my father." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the before, for it was considerably after midnight. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in notes," he said. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Perhaps I have." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came third from London." her also." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." papers must be those that are destroyed.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some locked. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to have that photograph." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found was shining brightly. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Most admirably.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has come either from the window or the door. My attention was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in prepare for the new role I have to play." name is different." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Not I." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was developed." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you DISSOLVED. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition thirty. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "What do you mean?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about knowledge of the world." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and the church but not where the lady lived." the ceiling. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you." them?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "About a month then." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry other means.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Pope's Court, Fleet Street." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am neither fascinating nor artistic." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The events in question occurred in the early days of my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Sutherland. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I writing, and yet I know it well." stepfather?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my married her." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the villagers almost as much as their master. said he. were new raised from a basin. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "No, I had a dozen." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less galvanised. maid will bring up your coffee." "10th. John Swain cleared. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is