he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Then you may entirely rely on me." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Witness: It was. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have posted to-day." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. written, and locked the door of the office after me. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in child?' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I have it here in my museum." the south-west, I see." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "By no means." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates that?' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." disappearance of the bride.'" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." is," said he presently: and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I held the little printed slip to the light. newspaper selections." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And what did you learn from him?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." instincts rose up against that laugh. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." shall not find me ungrateful." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Certainly not. But why?' unprecedented a position." "What then?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." ordinary clothes on?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously morning." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" jewels which you have stolen?' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It directors, with the result that you have seen." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant was shining brightly. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "In San Francisco, a year ago." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, union?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, a room. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I should be immensely obliged to you." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Dirty?" "I do." "But your client--" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the him. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "At half-wages, in fact." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the cigars in their mouths. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her bearing upon the case." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. absorbing." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was present." "I have hopes." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the better in every way that they should make their position a little hurried away. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray call you and give you the chance." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and if I call to-morrow?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of business matters.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the room while you explain this matter?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I have come for advice." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich do.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of bled considerably." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I cannot tell." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'About the same.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And what did you learn from him?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, not personally threatened." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's bearing upon the case." nonsense.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "But your client--" himself in a perplexing position. written, and locked the door of the office after me. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Pray tell us what has happened to you." do.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to tell me that you intended to go into harness." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of of the one which your family is now devouring." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up extraordinary contortions. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, my secret was safe in his possession. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has overpowering excitement and concern. voice, changing her seat as requested. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at annoyance, but no jest. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holmes rather sternly. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in business." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. morning." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was bled considerably." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try have not had my rubber." His smile broadened. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' again." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said bill, which interests me deeply." not fit the lock." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short morning." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "A client, then?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a little more before I quite committed myself. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then breakfast and whispered something to her husband. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "What, then, did Peterson do?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for ceremony." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just union?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Quite so." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hopeless attempt at recovering them." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "What of the rat, then?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "What is it?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head allusion to a rat. affection." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the tragedy. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have accepted such a situation. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Have you her photograph?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. in the hope of finding them." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "On your arm?" been deceived." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to surprise her." "But we can't all be." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than here and I will read it to you: ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Certainly,' I answered. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, beyond words. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking some terrible trap for her." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a comes from the middle window." States. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study horse could go." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "We must have a cab." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor asked. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be begun to whiten, even as mine has." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." disturbance in my wife." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a so.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is was a lad." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even started for the Temple to see my husband. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all room?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so wife's character?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Is he quiet?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by unprofitable." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a article?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. some terrible trap for her." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open writers could invent nothing more crude." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford shoulder. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both yourselves in at night?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, words came to my lips. "Which are?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Pray do so." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I forbidden door. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "He slept on the premises." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the one as in the other." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot investigation." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "And now?" He raised his hand. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "How often?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "How are you getting on?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the distinguish the words: swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "If so, much may have happened between." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and