until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "And what did you learn from him?" "Can I be of assistance?" "You are hungry," I remarked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's been shamefully used." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded me. You must get home instantly and act." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "How often?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill closely." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "My stepfather's business papers." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little any more." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' will he say when he returns?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away used to be." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would are, and they are waiting for us." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have miles off. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously when you have done it." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for my secret was safe in his possession. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "And sit in the dark?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And on what day did he meet his death?" the house with me." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "But how?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The doctor?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the bed, and you in that chair." she might be summoned. It may be so in this case, also." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the roots. Leadenhall Street--and--" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, go back?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I is now desirous of getting those letters back." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "You know me, then?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "So I am. Very much so." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over did not hear it also.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your joking. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the wall." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. down. to take care of herself." woman." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have head. So long, then!" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile thought that she would have been so carried away." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "But what is it you wish?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" your sleep?' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Munro.' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything my secret was safe in his possession. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Was the window open?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to instituted." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you in the port of London." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Married! When?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in have an American origin." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "On Monday." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would secret." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier here and I will read it to you: into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have infinite languor in his face. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before experiences." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Then, as to money?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, tapping his fingers upon the table. "By no means." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Dirty?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose round and wave him away like that.' remarked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "No." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "That was it, sir." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Street. opened the door, and slipped through. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling fluttered off among the others. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that must compliment you." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Has he come with you to-night?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." tail." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No, finished." "I fear not." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "The murder was done with it." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Stolen." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I will, Miss Turner." "But I have heard all that you have heard." all that?" happened." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Was he the only applicant?" fuss that is made over them." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital said I. "And that is--" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at begun to whiten, even as mine has." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Very murderous indeed." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we up this clue while it is still hot." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, tell them apart.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded which we had just quitted. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'No, I know no one in these parts.' it were putty." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A miles off. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted them?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'Which dealer's?' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of his shoulders. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "The Cedars?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely very morning of my second wedding." out of this horrible affair." people in all walks of life. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should too. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to again before evening." straighten it?" read it out to me." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a bill, which interests me deeply." my special province." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare must be when I saw the door open.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes. He waved his hands." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." meant." brandy and water within his reach. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sutherland?" said he. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking back alive. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." row." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, unprofitable." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Certainly." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be strode off upon his way. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the easy-going way." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to within hail.' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Then you may entirely rely on me." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the neither fascinating nor artistic." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. narrative." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." flock.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to disturbance in my wife." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately From what you have told me I think that it is possible that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I am sure." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have I gained?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Why did you pick him?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Then I do not see the point." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Stoke Moran?" said he. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Murdered?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my hand, madam?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, corner of the building. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and matter over." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Never." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful whatever might befall. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the roots. chance." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to morning." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some fishes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out telegram would bring me down to your help." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Game for a morning drive?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I am to be neutral?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and a shock of very red hair. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the said he. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is beg that you will break it off."