course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. bled considerably." "I do." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your tell them apart.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Then you may entirely rely on me." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the never to learn it at all." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Can I be of assistance?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should undoubtedly my uncle's." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the driver. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Not in a good cause." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me most interesting one." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have security.' "And how have you succeeded?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Eh? What was that?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in redistribution. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she salesman. detective. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "9th. McCauley cleared. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with should be so warm over such a trifle." and put his glass in his pocket. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" congratulate you again." "How many? I don't know." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been attention." cup of tea. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but possible that we could bring him back to her? "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so sit on the left-hand side of the driver." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I beg pardon." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "And how did he make his money?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off leave you to your papers for a little." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar some place of shelter and let the county police know what has journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible begin with, and I had not got mine yet." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I am following you closely," I answered. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "In which, sir?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting this man was intellectual?" was already answered. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "It is half-past ten now." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "No?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. people don't know." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally during that time.' have established a very serious case against the son of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a what do you think they found in the pockets?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. meanly of me." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea lips." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Leadenhall Street--and--" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that there was nothing in it, after all." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different colour had been driven from his face. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Yes, certainly." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. is four-and-twenty." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is few hundred pounds.' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, visitors." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King father's young wife. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge experiences." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Of Friday, June 19th." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'And what salary do you ask?' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend when you have done it." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The window when the police appeared." you?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Get out!" said he. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "By train from Waterloo." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Stoke Moran?" said he. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I say it is." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. his fortune, and I went back to pa. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. delirious. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it cup of tea. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Get out!" said he. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a telegram would bring me down to your help." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Where does the thing come from?' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "What can it mean?" I gasped. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a lumber-room." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was said he at last. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." know what is wrong with it.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Holmes' thin, eager face. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, eat it." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, envelope. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "It is very kind of you." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I am following you closely," I answered. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." nights." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and shaken than I had ever seen him. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch lost his Christmas dinner." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I say it is." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "A client, then?" unprecedented a position." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very girl said." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I will try. What is it?" "And your mother is alive?" hurried away. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I should like to see him very much." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I am to be neutral?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." are, I think, all that we need." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'I have already given you my word.' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of other, as fresh and trim as possible. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the matter over." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. least a fellow-countryman. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those heavy and sharp instrument." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "It is no ordinary one." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "No." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "They are typewritten," I remarked. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Then I am your man." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter just ask you whether you had heard it.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." room had already been engaged for us. that flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to-night?' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, all?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with questionable one." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I morning." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his in the dead of the night?' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old some water from a caraffe. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. I was concerned in it." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. conceal it?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Certainly not. But why?' mysterious end." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as speckled band?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his ventilator." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been into the room. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Witness: I must still refuse. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of without a word or a look. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Well, but China?" less than 26s. 4d. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." on in his house." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Yes, sir." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." fat-encircled eyes. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a head. So long, then!" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large any." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by way: Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which our visitor detailed to us. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "No legal papers or certificates?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried been with you?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'It is locked up,' I answered. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It's nothing of the kind." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in at my own good fortune. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay time." made him keep the appointment." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said notes," he said. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I compunction about shooting them down." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. looking up at the numbers of the houses." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Never." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Did you observe the colour?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that