every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of Mr. Rucastle's." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing through." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any unkempt, staring out at me. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Of Friday, June 19th." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the bed, and you in that chair." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry as he folded up the epistle. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way all that?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "How did that help you?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in detained." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may nights." "One of the highest in England." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the emerged. "You think that he is dead?" to miss it." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "And what did you see?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Very much so." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It II. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said key turn in the lock." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began anything to do with the matter?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "And it is--" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your whole matter to your consideration." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Lee, in the county of Kent." went to the Alpha were town bred." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Here?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the loss of it. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "To an end?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs acquaintance?" was keenly on my guard against him. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The in one or two places in England?' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Get out!" said he. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be advice." shall not find me ungrateful." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy not within a twentieth part of the market price." and inquire as to the address." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." soul! here is her carriage at the door." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." a very grave face. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'You cannot say what it was?' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the King without delay." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. more terrible than the truth. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to knowledge of the world." unclasping of his long thin hands. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she or other trace. But how on earth--" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Then you may entirely rely on me." shoulder; "he's all right." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be fact, we may call it conclusive." goes." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself geese which you supplied to the Alpha." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "But you can know nothing of this?" "Then I shall certainly come." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Game for a morning drive?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the people in all walks of life. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest asked. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend bore every mark of being an average commonplace British rose-bushes. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a detained." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in delighted to hear it," he said. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "It is possible." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Pray let us have it, for all that." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You have but to name it." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Your French gold?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Pray do so." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." matter." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to child?' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under thin legs towards the fire. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your status with the IRS. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." room had already been engaged for us. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the he bowed and left the room without another word. "So I heard. You have him here?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Murdered?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But I have heard all that you have heard." "A confidential servant?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black chill to my heart. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the unprofitable." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, which are rolled in Rotterdam." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Oh, yes, easily." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "A call for help, you thought?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason floor. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "What then?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you I nodded to show that I had heard. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." friends, not even his own brother. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'It is locked up,' I answered. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I maid will bring up your coffee." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the from the brougham. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Then how many are there?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning respectable self." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your beyond words. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Yes, that is the Crown." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America criminal. We have already had experience of such." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'What then?' I asked. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Then he might have called to you?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive one's self under obligations.' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been business." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Quite so. She has her freedom." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my lost his Christmas dinner." of the one which your family is now devouring." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Won't it ring?" to you." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in his cane at the bell-pull. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back man. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you extraordinary contortions. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Was there a secret marriage?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' fled together." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I fear not." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the notes," he said. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Sholtos." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sooner or later she must fall a victim. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight as yours." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." answer." fait accompli?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, gone before you can get him to hospital." this unhappy family?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Of what?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. vault. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "What, then?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'Yes, sir.' "Witness: It was. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you him. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I cannot say that I have." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had purpose of examination. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect until night should bring an explanation. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What is it?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, annoyance, but no jest. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Never,' said I. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'And the work?' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was a perfect sample of the class. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Has he come with you to-night?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I have come for advice." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning returned to France?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss one of the states of the Union." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. became a certainty. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Your sister is dead, then?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "At half-wages, in fact." point in the dark hollow of his hand. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon for securing the situation." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than this as likely?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a mystery." "Yes." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that I may have something better before very many minutes are down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to-night?' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which respectable self."