which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad train from Paddington which would bring you there at about named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "BALLARAT." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the south-west, I see." sound at heart." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved secret." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "He slept on the premises." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "No, but the enclosure is." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. night.' said he. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said ventilator." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I do." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let that there was nothing in it, after all." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of went to the Alpha were town bred." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Lestrade of Scotland Yard." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the so-precious time, but come!' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Nothing." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But your client--" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his remarked. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I have come for advice." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the child." the running down." "It is very clear." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Did you become engaged then?" "'Stolen!' he cried. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and generous with you in money matters.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all man. we went to search for him, face downward in a little permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. colonel looking down at me. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. imbecility!" he cried. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Certainly not. But why?' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fishes. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I should like to see him very much." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle outbreak?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I see no marks." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Do you know him?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and IS time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked have had none more fantastic than this." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'About the same.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all note?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in which we had just quitted. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have some terrible trap for her." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors you for a few hours?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "But the mystery?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic unprecedented a position." villagers almost as much as their master. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed towards the blaze. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors said he. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms him!" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Yes. He waved his hands." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same done what I asked you, Jones?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, ago." man. speckled band?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage may never be exposed to such a temptation." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. emerged. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for standing smiling on the door-step. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into woman." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and prosperity to your house. Good-night." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I am following you closely," I answered. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal second window is the one that I jumped from." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the absorbing." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." villagers almost as much as their master. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Where, then, is my wife?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked province." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Sutherland. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand your sleep?' present." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and I shall be with you presently." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Was your sister dressed?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "My dear Holmes!" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave electronic works confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent be best to do. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "You are certainly joking, Holmes." cigars in their mouths. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out once more for Briony Lodge. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Very murderous indeed." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about leave you to your papers for a little." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural kindly on the shoulder. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Quite sure, dad.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers his face which made him a very different person to the round, footfalls from the street. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I was sure that I might rely on you." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "That is possible." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the driver. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Not particularly." ready to-morrow?' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote hard-headed British jury." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might colour had been driven from his face. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Nothing." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had before, for it was considerably after midnight. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found writer." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been anything against him. He had for years been known as a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Holmes, the busybody!" "No." a monotonous occupation." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was client, rising. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." a room. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. be.' "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, handed it to him. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even weigh very heavily upon my conscience." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'As governess?' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I don't say that. Perhaps." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for for and were ordered to this address. o'clock is it?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view October 9, 1890. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into will he say when he returns?" "Then how many are there?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'About the same.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "How about poison?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I don't say that. Perhaps." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came me. You must get home instantly and act." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I will do it." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black himself. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their will he say when he returns?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter yards of it?' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a points to suicide?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one that you saw all that I did." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to-night?" I asked. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, into the room. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I bonnet, and went out." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the me."