means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Dark enough and sinister enough." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Then you may entirely rely on me." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "But it has twice been burgled." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of Fenchurch Street." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I as noiselessly as she had come. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her there was no need for father to know." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case more solid." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to you?' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'Oh, no.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "My dear Holmes!" Cross for the Continent." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, both be extremely obliged.' "Well?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "We must sit without light. He would see it through the chamber." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should used to be." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes, from Horsham." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips down. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to there was no need for father to know." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "My opinion is in no way altered." morning." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "How did he come?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray friends, not even his own brother. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as had died away into the silence from which it rose. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the giving me time to thank him. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes, I have one waiting." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend in this note: and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. guilty one." "I will get her to show me." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a served to weaken the effect. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' II. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" answer." the coronet at all injured?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Who was the criminal, then?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied go--none." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's interested in these little problems, and since you are good therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my go--none." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Not social, then?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. charged with?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Pray continue your narrative." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Never to return." "Really! You surprise me." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. will not take me long to tell. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. entirely lost his self-respect." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." ways of our fellow-men." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hour." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are key turn in the lock." power." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "This concluded the examination of the witness." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had picked up in the wood. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Sutherland?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I noting anything else of interest. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and wait." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here him nearly every evening." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "The vanishing of the lady." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are without a word or a look. straightened it out again. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Gutenberg-tm License. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, reach." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to fat-encircled eyes. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to a light-house. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Yes." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is direction." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and the whole place is in a blaze." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. this remarkable episode. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday done what I asked you, Jones?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "But you have hopes?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily outbreak?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me then?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her been anything against him. He had for years been known as a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the locked." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And I to find an enemy." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His acquaintance?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Where to?' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at could go. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis situation." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case I am not easy in my mind about them." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and that he would see to anything that turned up. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, child?' is worth.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "What will you do, then?" in a very precise fashion." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Have you good authority for what you say?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I see many objections to any such theory." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Come in!" said he. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he American. Then who could this American be, and why should he out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his key turn in the lock." get her out of the way." forbidden door. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "An enemy?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out conduct the inquiry." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in the port of London." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Your presence might be invaluable." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the is," said he presently: square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Arthur Conan Doyle were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in a friendly supper." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with residence of the great financier. help us in this matter." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed again before evening." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to carpenter." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. horse could go." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" with her." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the out of this horrible affair." bill, which interests me deeply." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "We have tried and failed." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing face and glided from the room. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'I have already given you my word.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day forecastle of an emigrant ship. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and upon an income of about 60 pounds." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret three fields round his house, and there he would take his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'About the same.' "Ha! you find it so?" strode off upon his way. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the roots. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the which our visitor detailed to us. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "You will not go there first?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the morning and make my own way in the world.' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms look upon these things in a different way." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "None." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon seem to you to be relevant or not." "That is easily got." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back once more on the important position which you have been fortunate bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up fact, we may call it conclusive." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most business came to an end." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and