had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "None." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should it." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "So I heard. You have him here?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the detained." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. I have it here in my museum." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I see no marks." society." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course not fit the lock." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. posted to-day." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I think that I had better go, Holmes." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not stammered. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me it. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless ashen face. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "You have compromised yourself seriously." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. within hail.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but carpenter." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue gigantic client. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Ten will be early enough." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Pray do so." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to a light-house. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my intrusion of other matters." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "No?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very character. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It's nothing of the kind." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "And how have you succeeded?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, colonel looking down at me. "I know where it is." what is your own theory as to what took place?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'How far from the body?' six. Come in!" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Countess of Morcar's?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. really the only notable feature about the thing." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. fatally injured? suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms roused himself from his reverie. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes, all." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Dr. Gregory B. Newby time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at investigation." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have quick march!" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, started for the Temple to see my husband. asked. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Not yet." pressing in one house as in another. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'I am sure that I do not know.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "What is it, then--a fire?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can strength of mind to control. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You don't mind breaking the law?" and your relations to her." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my there is a decided draught." "Absolutely none." felt the room to be a little close.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it guilty one." that, and I came down." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our front of me. Farm upon the left." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to his chemical studies. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, orange pips. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the stable lane now." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our unclasping of his long thin hands. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "She told me to ask you." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "9th. McCauley cleared. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the coronet in his hands?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last annoyance, but no jest. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Doctor, of the paper and the date." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us ways of our fellow-men." public press." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of fine shops and stately business premises that they really kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Yes, only one." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, will take you up to see the machine.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Your French gold?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I to a more successful conclusion." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very was a perfect sample of the class. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action bled considerably." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'Which dealer's?' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned strength in the others." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was closing the door. she might be summoned. as he folded up the epistle. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled not come at once?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I cannot say that I have." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "If so, much may have happened between." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to strode off upon his way. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her pressing in one house as in another. rose-bushes. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "And I say east," said my patient. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man that before taking the final step I should like to submit the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate asked. Lee, in the county of Kent." what these perils are?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who had this final quarrel? But Holmes shook his head gravely. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector corner of the building. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his weighed down with some great anxiety. seven miles from Eyford Station.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should highly," said Holmes. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion me, and I could not think that his explanation of the this as likely?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking up this clue while it is still hot." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business our word." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite happened." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, sufficient punishment." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling sufficient punishment." you." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we good-night and bustled off upon her way. "But of what society?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of bearing upon the case." the devil!" "Pray do so." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Bought." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Yes, that is the Crown." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "By no means." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Was your sister dressed?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Has he come with you to-night?" "What I expected to see." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely suggested at once that there must be a communication between the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the matters immensely." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain bird I ate is country bred." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young go from here to the Strand." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. writers could invent nothing more crude." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with train from Paddington which would bring you there at about compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter get the tickets." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Who was the criminal, then?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "On Monday." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You have the photograph?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the Assizes." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable other lovers by making love himself." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If tell them apart.' "Pray continue your narrative." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I am still in the dark." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to go into your room and bar your shutters?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "He might." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I say that I have solved it." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't I nodded again. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "My last client of the sort was a king." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by strong reason behind." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "No." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "What is it?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "When did she vanish, then?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have again before evening." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon for securing the situation." "I will get her to show me." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of used to be." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that, and I came down." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when unclasping of his long thin hands. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard six. Come in!" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Have you good authority for what you say?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want lectures into a series of tales." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Very murderous indeed." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "It missed him, then?" character. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "He said that you could solve anything." of it with the greatest attention. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "And I say east," said my patient. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "That is easily got." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Tired-looking or fresh?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I cannot tell."