want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It looks newer than the other things?" think that he is innocent?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, roused himself from his reverie. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of papers diligently of late, have you not?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the roots. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and quick march!" Project Gutenberg-tm works. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking was keenly on my guard against him. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Do you receive much company?" he asked. my friend's incisive reasoning. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the morning and make my own way in the world.' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hopeless attempt at recovering them." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." gives a meaning to it." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "It looks newer than the other things?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "My last client of the sort was a king." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "What do you make of that, Watson?" and put his glass in his pocket. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into danger is over." were new raised from a basin. "I cannot as yet see any connection." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into presume?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of once more to my work. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn national property. I was determined that the law should have its errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very true." served to weaken the effect. "I would give my fortune to have them back." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "And you don't know his address?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I should like to see him very much." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier London for the present?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself if I call to-morrow?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for persecution?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the room while you explain this matter?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Yes, I promise.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, he did." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel my friend's incisive reasoning. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Why, it's a dummy," said he. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. up this clue while it is still hot." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I should wish to." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and the whole place is in a blaze." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And why?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and your relations to her." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Ah!" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "And what did you see?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I think it very unlikely." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his gentleman's clothes. "And now?" I asked. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Why serious?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not works. See paragraph 1.E below. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I will do it." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Won't it ring?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view For additional contact information: "My dear Holmes!" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Doctor, of the paper and the date." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle and capable of preserving a secret.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my as he folded up the epistle. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the dangers which encompass me." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of placed his cuttings. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included I held the little printed slip to the light. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the your Highness to the police-station?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we she used." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the gone. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But of what society?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of the way of danger. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the at once, for I have only half an hour." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless way: "Never." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally from you?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the nursery. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Game for a morning drive?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Just look it up, then." lectures into a series of tales." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Imitated." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if brain must have something in it." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was footfalls from the street. standing smiling on the door-step. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And Miss Sutherland?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was a loud and authoritative tap. Sutherland. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study which are rolled in Rotterdam." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle time." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to tell." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of followed. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to-night's adventure." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window she used." have had none more fantastic than this." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "But of what society?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is to you." "'I have heard so.' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I shall most certainly do so." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Why did you pick him?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Why serious?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot maid will bring up your coffee." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against coroner's jury." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Yes." "And now?" He raised his hand. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And who is her maid?" derbies." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "How do you know, then?" "No. What a strange idea!" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been tell them apart.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I was afraid that you were engaged." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and young Openshaw's." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." said Mr. Holder. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend south, for the country is more deserted there." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot him. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the with her." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, you?' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "My dear Holmes!" know all about it," he snarled. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You have carte blanche." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. outbreak?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and effective." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. coroner's jury." we went to search for him, face downward in a little prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for served to weaken the effect. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I am following you closely," I answered. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself own family. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Sutherland?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Texas, I think." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of is a common subject for conversation. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any your sleep?' "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a where we are going." you." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety get the tickets." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. tension within him. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her