are windows in it, of course?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Very. But will he see it?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "So I heard. You have him here?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the room had already been engaged for us. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it meant it for the best. "Yes, only one." remarked. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the iron safe, which he closed upon it. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of Fenchurch Street." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he own family. you do it in twenty minutes!' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must remarked. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott morning." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal suspect him." a room. "It surprised me." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the is four-and-twenty." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy strode off upon his way. them, and came down just as you departed. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Why did you beat the pavement?" Holmes' room. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Chief Executive and Director performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "An accident, I presume?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Just look it up, then." never came back." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we before, for it was considerably after midnight. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." meant." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that was the fact that his father should, according to his account, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but cheerful." Munro.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive few hundred pounds.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. towards the blaze. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary guilty parties." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Just look it up, then." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "But I have heard all that you have heard." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must feature." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded as he remarks, very much against the son." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even thin legs towards the fire. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "But how?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found who was a member of your goose club." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Do you go out much in society?" stood on the top of it. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'What would be the hours?' I asked. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Yes. He waved his hands." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the way of danger. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future door?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "She told me to ask you." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I shall be delighted." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "No." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled himself to hunt down. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER a very grave face. "Yes." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and himself to tell his story. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, in this way: had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her occurred." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug pound a week." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." with you?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the served to weaken the effect. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'What, the red-headed man?' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, fasten all the windows?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You think that he is dead?" constraint." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding see a sister of mine apply for." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for most important business. It is probable that he will be away all an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he retorted upon me, and I on you." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "By no means." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Certainly." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "My stepfather's business papers." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "And your father? Did you tell him?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "A client, then?" tear off another piece?' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Oh, the cause is excellent!" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And what did you learn from him?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it corner of the building. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of should be so warm over such a trifle." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, stammered. "You have the photograph?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to salesman. acted in my house last night?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set once more for Briony Lodge. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been there were one or two details which were new to me. But the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "That's no good." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "No, I think that I'll take it." bird I ate is country bred." upon the shelf for the interim." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's anything to a woman, for she would have her way." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Her father is very rich?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of better in every way that they should make their position a little problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and he. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up did not hear it also.' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been than to us. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and was used.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and that he would see to anything that turned up. "The vanishing of the lady." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his grey eyes. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Pray be precise as to details," said he. opportunities to fix the problem. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that he has suffered." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence seem to you to be relevant or not." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself one of them." "Yes." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, morning." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the other means.' It may be so in this case, also." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave acquaintance?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade them?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but occurred." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his frequently gained my first real insight into the character of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the article?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "VIOLET HUNTER." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may them present such singular features as the strange train of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Well?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'There is a drive, then?' must be when I saw the door open.' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Perhaps we may make them less so." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are imbecility!" he cried. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he all-comprehensive glances. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "No, I had a dozen." public press." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now fish-monger and a tide-waiter." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and certainly not very gracious." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little not come at once?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." people don't know." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point chamber." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." business matters.' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just at home. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes conclusions. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a events, Mr. Windibank!" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies entirely devoid of interest." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Come in!" said Holmes. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Street. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and light and attacked it." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You did not overhear what they said?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the