disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very affection." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and one of the states of the Union." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we upon the sideboard." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed quickly through a disagreeable task. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and see a sister of mine apply for." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And now?" I asked. keep the flames under. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'Ample.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "One?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I his face. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. The King stared at him in amazement. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit voice, changing her seat as requested. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I see many objections to any such theory." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Was he the only applicant?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little threw himself down with his face to the pillow. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest appeared upon the scene." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "No, distinctly professional." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held that I may have something better before very many minutes are the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence invisible to me," I remarked. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white seen the man in the road." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. could go. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Precisely." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all 1.F. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fled together." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." that you can jump it.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one to take care of herself." existence." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss cheerful." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I never have." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "This photograph!" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Then you may entirely rely on me." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under You want to know what became of those geese?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure that there was nothing in it, after all." "Pray do so." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than again." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Yes." hour." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the best of training." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Then I do not see the point." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, upon the shelf for the interim." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a morning." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton wanted for ourselves." go--none." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "So I am. Very much so." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step said I. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he him nearly every evening." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included guilty one." "It is true that I have been generally successful." Holmes." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "You did not overhear what they said?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are with you?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened it right.' "How about poison?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he question," said Holmes, smiling. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "9th. McCauley cleared. "Well." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle hurried away. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "What then?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "No, thank goodness, she did not." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas window when the police appeared." relief. this as likely?" brain must have something in it." with frightened eyes at his accuser. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the you give your casting vote to?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "If so, much may have happened between." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Certainly not.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And on what day did he meet his death?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the legal crime." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to tell." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and skylight. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" breakfast?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was bears upon the case?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' train.' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Eyford." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Where did he live, then?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond for its centre. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But what harm can there be in that?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the child." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very wanted for ourselves." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "From his hat?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Leave Paddington by the 11:15." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, success. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "This photograph!" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with intimate personal affairs in this public manner." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his noble correspondent could be. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "That you are never beaten." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." ashen face. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "But we can't all be." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. asked. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Come in!" said he. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and clanging. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" answered with a sidelong glance. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'There is a drive, then?' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of standing smiling on the door-step. for and were ordered to this address. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with trifles." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "One horse?" interjected Holmes. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the me. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the daring than any effort of the imagination." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and effective." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with writers could invent nothing more crude." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco appeared upon the scene." "But how?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, second." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell was a perfect sample of the class. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a better in every way that they should make their position a little Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Absolutely?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, about here speaks of his kindness to him." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found writer." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "And why?" "And leave your case unfinished?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is could not have written that. It is the German who is so case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have