manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is fatally injured? "Never to return." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. gone. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "You think that he is dead?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many beyond words. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Not him." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were might have a private word with us. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles observed. of." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Did you become engaged then?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low friend's singular character. unkempt, staring out at me. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Pope's Court. orange pips. minor matters until to-morrow." neither fascinating nor artistic." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Eyford at 11:15.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I events, Mr. Windibank!" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set an introduction to him?" enough to aid us in our search." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves better in every way that they should make their position a little room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It is no ordinary one." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, III. directly by questioning you." was shining brightly. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let unclasping of his long thin hands. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "And when will you call?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "But how?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, entirely devoid of interest." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they bell. Holmes whistled. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "That is possible." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the King without delay." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His were new raised from a basin. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial annoyance, but no jest. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Awake, Watson?" he asked. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for chambers. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "How do you know, then?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both on re-entering her father's house?" business in the City. She little knew what. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Why, what do you mean?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "My dear Holmes!" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am his knees, staring into the fire. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "But how did you gain them?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Has he come with you to-night?" "'And what salary do you ask?' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' married her." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the iron safe, which he closed upon it. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Will you go?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It is very clear." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of your young ladies.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'No, I know no one in these parts.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "But how will you look?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. forehead. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to The King stared at him in amazement. coroner's jury." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his murdered man." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come rat could hardly pass through." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "My photograph." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "But how?" the coroner come to?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I was mad--insane." beyond words. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or how narrow had been my escape. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry enough to aid us in our search." said he. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered strong and stiff." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Where to?' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and looked back. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting husband's writing, madam." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows crime." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Yes, I have one waiting." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. your room." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Seven!" I answered. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to III. the best of training." "Have you it here?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "They are typewritten," I remarked. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double hour." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found like that before?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, his knees, staring into the fire. do.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head little adventures." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it delirious. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "How often?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is hard-headed British jury." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Mrs. Toller serenely. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little you?' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes, sir." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Certainly." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it deduce something from that?" question," said Holmes, smiling. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar recover the gem." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Surrey." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had he. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in case-book, which he consulted. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of get the tickets." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. him nearly every evening." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time dramatic, in fact." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to arrive at through this?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I questionable one." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I will try. What is it?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Have you good authority for what you say?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You have but to name it." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the congratulate you again." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so up this clue while it is still hot." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "So it appears." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now again." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. row." be there in time for your coming." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Never." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Dr. Gregory B. Newby returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we it." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Where does the thing come from?' cup of tea. appeal." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in maid will bring up your coffee." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "It surprised me." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general business?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "This photograph!" "I will get her to show me." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "No." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "It certainly sounds feasible." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a nothing of it?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Arthur Conan Doyle