the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "My private note-paper." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke least a fellow-countryman. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me had formerly been in part my own. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to me. furiously. the night.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "No, distinctly professional." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Then, as to money?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing green of the new foliage. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be again, where I was soon asleep. enough to aid us in our search." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' highly," said Holmes. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and bled considerably." I was concerned in it." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from certainly do as you advise." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who little trying to do so much typewriting?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and keep the flames under. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the together. before the coroner and the police-court." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others really the only notable feature about the thing." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." with you alone." "By all means." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away clanging. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." photograph?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "What, then?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were whether it answered to the description of any of their mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a suspect him." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the so-precious time, but come!' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I have hopes." Holmes' room. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing horse could go." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of his shoulders. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the tightly behind him. "It is very kind of you." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to were wasted." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this said I. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very security.' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging begin with, and I had not got mine yet." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Entirely." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of taking in every detail of the apartment. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "There is the writing." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The will be renamed. "Quite so." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the about here speaks of his kindness to him." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." narrative." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a writers could invent nothing more crude." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he there!' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "You have it, sir, just as it happened." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your would apply.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk threw himself down with his face to the pillow. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "His face fell immediately. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "One of the highest in England." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to mysterious end." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Never to return." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw lids now and glanced across at his visitor. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "There are none." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them there were one or two details which were new to me. But the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Which are?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in this way: pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "My stepfather's business papers." "Did you observe the colour?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that he has suffered." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "How did you trace it, then?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a opened the door, and slipped through. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" not fit the lock." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some infinite languor in his face. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her corner of the building. is now desirous of getting those letters back." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in case-book, which he consulted. fait accompli?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And the murderer?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the running down." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" to surprise her." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "How did he come?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "That is not always so easy." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Stoke Moran?" said he. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "It is solved." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "It surprised me." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I have a cab outside." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie ill-usage at the hands of fortune. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the bed, and you in that chair." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added upon the white wrist. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of this gang." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "This photograph!" success. unkempt, staring out at me. the date of his supposed suicide." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, you understand?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. matter." as this. Pray let me have the details." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence undoubtedly my uncle's." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "That is also quite modern," said the lady. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated was once confined in the cab my mission was practically side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had other means.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, think you a quite exceptional woman." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Why did you pick him?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat because she had spent so short a time in this country that she away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's chance." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should me have 200 pounds?' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Certainly." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Quite so." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He matter." "10th. John Swain cleared. "I see many objections to any such theory." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to chambers. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Surrey." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It is his hat." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a character. light and attacked it." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the tragedy. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think direction." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but followed. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will correct than the official force." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united think that he is innocent?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a cigars in the box." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us may have an influence upon European history." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a for securing the situation." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I with some details as to your case." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. presume?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Holmes' room. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from used to be." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Literary Archive Foundation "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they habit of advancing money.' Mary, has deserted me." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Oh! you have seen inside, then?"