through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even cheerful." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" 11:15.' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called soul! here is her carriage at the door." ceremony." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave your troubles." appointment with me for six o'clock?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as bachelor.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "How did he come?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I promise," said Holmes. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but locked. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so as he remarks, very much against the son." "Yes, certainly." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Certainly not. But why?' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There take the flies, but not before." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I am sure." "You think that he is dead?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for for the market.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in this man was intellectual?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate horse could go." "And how have you succeeded?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious a suggestive one." here." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, pound a week." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the easy-going way." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And it is--" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his your bag." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements presented more singular features than that which was associated we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not success. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "That also I could fathom." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed congenial hunt. "I see many objections to any such theory." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Precisely." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to disturbance in my wife." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the Red-headed League." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had will not take me long to tell. off." laugh and put his lips to my ear. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you it." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Did your wife hear all this?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "What do you make of that, Watson?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up details." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "It missed him, then?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Where to?" "But you have hopes?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my little problems." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "In what way?" asked Holmes. and I shall be with you presently." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so yet." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the room while you explain this matter?" "But not more so than I to find you." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very someone who had been in Australia." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." bare slabs of marble. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, a little more before I quite committed myself. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of a light. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would bearing upon the case." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Where is it, then?" "Of Friday, June 19th." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "It surprised me." door?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped certainly do as you advise." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his served to weaken the effect. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But what is it you wish?" beyond words. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." yet." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay seven miles from Eyford Station.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water handed it to him. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I am following you closely," I answered. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were spare." "Pray do so." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and your relations to her." cup of tea. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "None." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And what did you learn from him?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Can I be of assistance?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do families. Now for the facts. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as vague figure huddled up in the darkness. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for delirious. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend congenial hunt. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "But how did you gain them?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a so.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my a very grave face. disappearance of these gems?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old learned something! Where are the gems?" "Upon what point?" "Ten will be early enough." "Yes, certainly." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Perfectly so." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter made him keep the appointment." "Yes, at the mines." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I think that I had better go, Holmes." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "There is the writing." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the seen the man in the road." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of what I may call a really hard day's work." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as once more to my work. spare." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. wall." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into about. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Witness: It was. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far here and I will read it to you: the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a my special province." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some key turn in the lock." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning new duties?' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic works. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Do you go out much in society?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Not particularly." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it fire. You quite follow me?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the running down." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a held up the lantern and gazed about him. are, I think, all that we need." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' upon a handsome competence. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time any more." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and yet." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Ample." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be mystery!" do you make of it all?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, my little problems." straightened it out again. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were points to suicide?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce when your master had gone out." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel there was no need for father to know." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving October 9, 1890. "But you were on a friendly footing?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you upon the sideboard." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no examination of the premises, but without finding anything which furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the definite end. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the roots. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my sufficient punishment." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, back alive. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the to arrive at through this?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it