who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Won't it ring?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, whatever might befall. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Street. "And is that all?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions bore every mark of being an average commonplace British old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the bed, and you in that chair." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in the hope of finding them." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good 'I should be able to look after that for you.' upon a handsome competence. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend acted in my house last night?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Not him." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at yet." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was been." woman." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the strength in the others." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" disturbance in my wife." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "But you have hopes?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is we went to search for him, face downward in a little papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the instituted." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You you." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a been shamefully used." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham unkempt, staring out at me. think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did a few minutes he said that it would be all right. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding a good hundred miles off by now." "My opinion is in no way altered." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Dr. Becher's." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of your young ladies.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Yes, at the mines." "Witness: It was. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an despair." jewels which you have stolen?' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "How did you deduce the select?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the him. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is second window is the one that I jumped from." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Murdered?" several quiet little villages up there." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and absorbing." "Just look it up, then." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he page at http://pglaf.org "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Well?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been bachelor.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and glanced through. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I have come for advice." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of your equipment. "Yes." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "By all means." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features made his money." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he 1.F. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a question," said Holmes, smiling. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." to his chemical studies. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I was concerned in it." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his own family. "Yes." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "No, finished." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to miss it." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to relief. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." unprofitable." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I approached. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, mysterious end." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the roots. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Was he the only applicant?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "And how did you verify them?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He is still with you, I presume?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, fuss that is made over them." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips without success. At last the little money which I had saved began since then to throw any light upon what became of him." felt?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it likely to be some crony of the landlady's." there." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it opened the door, and slipped through. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their hurried by. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without roused himself from his reverie. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one have established a very serious case against the son of the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Eyford at 11:15.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and capable of preserving a secret.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she which we had just quitted. "'Then let me do so?' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and all of them with the keenest interest. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for burst out into a roar of laughter. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began It may be so in this case, also." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." papers must be those that are destroyed.' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. digesting their breakfasts at home." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to this Miss Turner." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' promised to bring home. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the matter." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "How about poison?" "I cannot say that I have." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had allusion to a rat. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I will try. What is it?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking important." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official your billet.' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Stolen." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But of what society?" discontent upon his features. arrangements." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he south, for the country is more deserted there." man. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Was your sister dressed?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had matter over." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. congratulate you again." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each peculiar to him. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered in a very precise fashion." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I shall be delighted." rat could hardly pass through." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. hard-headed British jury." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up question," said Holmes, smiling. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out upon the sideboard." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It very old mansion. think, you have already met." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Has he come with you to-night?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "But I am all in the dark." "'I am sure if I had known--' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." night.' said he. "Well, it is a possible supposition." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You have a clue?" him. it means?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' companion. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his away to you." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the locked." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The miles off. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "No." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, which was all perfectly true. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open derbies." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. your sleep?' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Then I am your man." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I should like to see him very much." crime." "Her father is very rich?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "May I see it?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master formed some opinion?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." your Highness to the police-station?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. his face. Count Von Kramm." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and if only as a check to my own memory." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the closing the door. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy asked with his eyes open. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue hand, madam?" "He disappeared so suddenly." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand are, I think, all that we need." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor that?' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are