his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. tell them apart.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "An accident, I presume?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." him to go away.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my amused." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you whatever might befall. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman society." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'Never,' said I. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." straighten it?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation charge against him will break down." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: wife's character?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Entirely." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which my special province." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our habit of advancing money.' had a long day." rat could hardly pass through." "A client, then?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To call for it in person on Monday morning.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "9th. McCauley cleared. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "But I am all in the dark." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining with the outside air!" disappearance of these gems?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "None." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I will try. What is it?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I fear not." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Yes, I have one waiting." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the his grey eyes. "I guessed as much." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of for and were ordered to this address. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look what is your own theory as to what took place?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Mary, has deserted me." copied or distributed: him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. remarked. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And did you observe any change in her then?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he gentleman's clothes. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "That's no good." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Nothing." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in just ask you whether you had heard it.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary closely." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and outside." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Do you know him?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is a little more before I quite committed myself. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "What do you make of that, Watson?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "He might." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any your most interesting statement." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible she might be summoned. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "My opinion is in no way altered." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy get her out of the way." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." manager. said I. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately said I. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "From his hat?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Countess of Morcar's?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass I leave." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" London for the present?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to some other building. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew again before evening." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have simple cases which are so extremely difficult." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' bare slabs of marble. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. companion quietly. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, For additional contact information: ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "We were both in the photograph." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own relief. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "9th. McCauley cleared. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either lids now and glanced across at his visitor. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his read over the extraordinary announcement. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but know that the truth is known." "And how in the world did you find them?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the bottom.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the roots. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" awaited us upon the table. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "No. What a strange idea!" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Nearly eleven." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," said he at last. you?' in this note: not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. McCarthy." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their it. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of daring than any effort of the imagination." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him as noiselessly as she had come. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy legal crime." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of where she found matters as described by the last witness. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes, only one." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her murdered man." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as long narrative. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "A call for help, you thought?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss London for the present?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms allusion to a rat. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting disappearance of these gems?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "No bad?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was beyond words. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came once more to my work. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes it." entirely lost his self-respect." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a husband's writing, madam." important." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps suddenly upon us." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy point in the dark hollow of his hand. know what is wrong with it.' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" washing it down with a long draught of water. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, formed some opinion?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "What then?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense but preventing her from injuring another. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. interest. They are important, you understand, without being continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Will you bet, then?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an next day. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "In the cells." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Yesterday." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before had picked up in the wood. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through fled together." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even that I may have something better before very many minutes are you understand?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to husband's writing, madam." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a for its centre. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his recover the gem." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the you in your example." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the security.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But how could you guess what the motive was?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." that you can jump it.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. but preventing her from injuring another. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from business at Coburg Square is serious." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Will you bet, then?" all?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the coronet in his hands?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about was a loud and authoritative tap. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she shaken than I had ever seen him. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a shoulder; "he's all right." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Always." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but derbies." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "What will you say?" "And what did you learn from him?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than answer." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out at home. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you returning from some small jollification and was making his way my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and all?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "And how?" "Where, then, is my wife?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "But what will you do?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Ample.' "Very. But will he see it?" to his chemical studies. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a own family. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An house for five minutes.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "One horse?" interjected Holmes. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards