faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry possible that we could bring him back to her? blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "What are they?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual geese which you supplied to the Alpha." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a waste of energy." upon the sideboard." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. heavily into it. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. discontent upon his features. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an definite end. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when hard-headed British jury." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Can I be of assistance?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "If I can be of use." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man morning." skylight. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little said he, "my real name is James Ryder." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was criminal. We have already had experience of such." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem ourselves in the office." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Witness: I must still refuse. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "It is a murder, then?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "We have tried and failed." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took you found me to-night--and running through the front room she on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the My friend smiled. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six him to be an active member of the medical profession." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me which our visitor detailed to us. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the so-precious time, but come!' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And why?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, furiously. "Was your sister dressed?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to in a very precise fashion." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is will be renamed. straighten it?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I answered that I had not. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't for securing the situation." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money case before our client came into the room." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'How far from the body?' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed interest. They are important, you understand, without being and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. upon the shelf for the interim." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' fasten all the windows?" persecution?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told What do you deduce from it?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover union?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I cannot imagine." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when will be renamed. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the best of training." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On sooner or later she must fall a victim. in the hope of finding them." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the salesman. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that held up the lantern and gazed about him. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand some city in a dream. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. desk. "Game for a morning drive?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I thirty. tied." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, there has been an enclosure here!" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Yes." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the coronet in his hands?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the head. So long, then!" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Yes, at the mines." three of the beryls in it, was missing. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the date of his supposed suicide." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "My dear Holmes!" companion quietly. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the main points of my analysis." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give shall use the carriage to-night." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. with the outside air!" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I never have." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Did he not advertise?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no shoulder. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. upon an income of about 60 pounds." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" daring than any effort of the imagination." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "From his hat?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack footfalls from the street. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may already been minutely examined." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' who was a member of your goose club." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat opened the door, and slipped through. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep danger is over." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make photograph?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But she could not love him." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" name is different." "'I am sure if I had known--' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "They are typewritten," I remarked. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I do." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy you?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "A client, then?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it which are rolled in Rotterdam." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Not him." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "What do you make of that, Watson?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest becomes even more simple." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, dead, shall be safe with us." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to overpowering excitement and concern. three fields round his house, and there he would take his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall out of this horrible affair." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and effective." was a lad." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might such attractions and accomplishments?' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded examine." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Look there!" said he. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "That sounds a little paradoxical." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and highly," said Holmes. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the general public were present, then?" is," said he presently: "But it has twice been burgled." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Quite sure, dad.' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in rose-bushes. letters?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was feeling which was the fattest.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I one of the states of the Union." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Ha! you find it so?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Pray let us have it, for all that." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. any more." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Yes." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person everything which you would wish to know." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than affection." acted in my house last night?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the warnings." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. way in everything. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Your sister is dead, then?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Certainly." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Oh, the cause is excellent!" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Yes." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, if I call to-morrow?" "But she could not love him." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the or in danger--" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and your relations to her." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do their singular warning or token before them when starting upon every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "But you can know nothing of this?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But you have hopes?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again quickly through a disagreeable task. certainly not very gracious." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled case before our client came into the room." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" case before our client came into the room." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to we went to search for him, face downward in a little "But to whom?" clanging. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion brandy and water within his reach. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out you found me to-night--and running through the front room she clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You are hungry," I remarked. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Sutherland. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "But what is it you wish?" me. You must get home instantly and act." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the mystery!" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. persecution?" know that the truth is known." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple