remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and inquire as to the address." situation." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight goes." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lectures into a series of tales." of the way of danger. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "This photograph!" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "And you don't know his address?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "May I see it?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Your presence might be invaluable." up this clue while it is still hot." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, nothing with him." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all retorted upon me, and I on you." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and glanced through. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Never." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and put his glass in his pocket. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. business matters.' "But how will you look?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a brain must have something in it." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "She showed me, as I told you she would." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty bled considerably." "I am sure." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel crime." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in a friendly supper." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the you." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "How did you deduce the select?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small cause to be." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the guilty one." laugh and put his lips to my ear. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Munro.' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful companion quietly. some terrible trap for her." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing to Leatherhead. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "And how in the world did you find them?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you records." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was already answered. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the very morning of the wedding." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed companion quietly. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. emerged. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I fear not." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Now, then, what's the last entry?" would then never go into court at all." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst whole matter to your consideration." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. him." "In which, sir?" "And how did you find out?" then?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Not social, then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send lips." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Holmes' face clouded over. "He said that you could solve anything." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of to me. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "No, I am descending." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' been deceived." McCarthy." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I am to be neutral?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It looks newer than the other things?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "None." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "None. Neville wrote those words." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Yes, he did." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Well, but China?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he his eyes and forehead. delirious. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole as this. Pray let me have the details." begun to whiten, even as mine has." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his be there in time for your coming." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time discontent upon his features. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable this man was intellectual?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the questioning and rather startled gaze. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, at my remark. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for something of him before." there has been an enclosure here!" "Then you may entirely rely on me." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And how?" "One?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to look upon these things in a different way." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my late." anything to do with the matter?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that giving me time to thank him. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." would apply.' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We families. Now for the facts. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was which was all perfectly true. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" had picked up in the wood. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was answered with a sidelong glance. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly purpose of examination. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shaken than I had ever seen him. the window, rose as we entered. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I should like to see him very much." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked http://www.gutenberg.net happened." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. my secret was safe in his possession. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "In the cells." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It is solved." III. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Was he the only applicant?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Holmes. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and fact, we may call it conclusive." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his true." his face. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss right! Sit down and let us talk it over." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." generous with you in money matters.' the roots. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss money should be paid at once.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray of the one which your family is now devouring." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A young Openshaw's." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Yes." "But not more so than I to find you." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "And your mother is alive?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Sutherland?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of child?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Yes." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is prepare for the new role I have to play." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to it." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." is now desirous of getting those letters back." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his place of silver." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "That sounds a little paradoxical." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have him nearly every evening." "Oh, fresh and glossy." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most What do you deduce from it?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Not social, then?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pound a week." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the rose-bushes. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do placed his cuttings. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." ran thus: to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I fatally injured? But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small your sleep?' politicians who had been sent down from the North. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and as noiselessly as she had come. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United them present such singular features as the strange train of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more writing, and yet I know it well." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." believe that I should never have any practice at all. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle had formerly been in part my own. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And Irene Adler?" "Never to return." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. upon a handsome competence.