on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "No, distinctly professional." "'Where could I find him?' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some matter." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." obstinate." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the became a certainty. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Game for a morning drive?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further chamber." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Was he the only applicant?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. experiences." cigars in the box." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and the whole place is in a blaze." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. few hundred pounds.' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Will you go?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "No, I am descending." empty. them present such singular features as the strange train of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It was an hour's good drive." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not daring than any effort of the imagination." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "And did you observe any change in her then?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently tell them apart.' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" entirely lost his self-respect." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." several quiet little villages up there." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal garden below. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of appointment with me for six o'clock?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long gbnewby@pglaf.org mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must were wasted." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the nursery. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing imbecility!" he cried. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible father's young wife. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, key turn in the lock." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. get her out of the way." colonel looking down at me. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life plantation.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no My friend smiled. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Well, but China?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Well, some hundreds of times." "About a month then." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to signal between you and your father? delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how look dissatisfied." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned which should have the effect of calling the attention of the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But we can't all be." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round than was visible to me." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" putting in the horse. girl said." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I your Highness to the police-station?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered you in your example." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch humiliation." "No good news?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Have you it here?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "What can you not understand?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I beg pardon." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his have established a very serious case against the son of the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had nights." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Your French gold?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in as the one I chose?' they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the photograph a cabinet?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "The decline of his fortunes, then?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the enough to aid us in our search." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a my special province." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon means taking possession of that which another person has a prior there is a decided draught." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Tired-looking or fresh?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House forbidden door. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, ceremony." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor enter Dr. Roylott's room." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "That is not always so easy." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" window when the police appeared." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "There are none." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, prisoner's face. of campaign. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Ah!" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, without a word or a look. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one approach us with offers to donate. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir have got?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias anything to do with the matter?" about. Project Gutenberg-tm works. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the when you have done it." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square note?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Dark enough and sinister enough." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to jewels which you have stolen?' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Arthur Conan Doyle and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Who by?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my back alive. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage in this note: should be taken.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "To the police?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I prepare for the new role I have to play." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "And why?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." with some details as to your case." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Ten will be early enough." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his which it had come upon my father." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the King without delay." "Get out!" said he. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. His name is Francis Prosper." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "And now?" He raised his hand. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to surprise her." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that tell me that you intended to go into harness." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'In my own bureau.' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't direction." better grown goose." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "But I am all in the dark." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a ventilator." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else some terrible trap for her." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and inquire as to the address." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." to that open window." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you, my dear young lady?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell light and attacked it." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists cigars in their mouths. yourselves in at night?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, interested in these little problems, and since you are good Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see himself to tell his story. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yes." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, have one." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "A client, then?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'And the work?' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something 1.F. "Why? What do you mean?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so upon an income of about 60 pounds." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. how narrow had been my escape. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing business matters.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of gone before you can get him to hospital." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my it." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes, sir." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America gbnewby@pglaf.org answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Why, it's a dummy," said he. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What!" he roared. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Why, what do you mean?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the unkempt, staring out at me. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to-night?" I asked. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the his wife has ceased to love him." certainly do as you advise." hurried by. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "She told me to ask you." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was leaning back in his chair. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body learned something! Where are the gems?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.'