which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid infinite languor in his face. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said than was visible to me." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Sutherland?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. appeal." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was shining brightly. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out writer." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ran thus: of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I cannot tell." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was money should be paid at once.' were wasted." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "By no means." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "About a month then." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." you, my dear young lady?' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and he bowed and left the room without another word. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in you came in." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at could gather together that I was able to avert another public to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the matter." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of have established a very serious case against the son of the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the hand, madam?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, back alive. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I will get her to show me." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He your billet.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you rat could hardly pass through." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily make me his representative both with the servants and with the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to father's young wife. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you yards of it?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they crowd. did not hear it also.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hopeless attempt at recovering them." child?' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help read it out to me." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I will, Miss Turner." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be observed. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one occurred." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "No, distinctly professional." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I will get her to show me." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the status with the IRS. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad eavesdroppers?' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But what harm can there be in that?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I don't say that. Perhaps." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for particular state visit http://pglaf.org reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Do you receive much company?" he asked. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "None." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "She will not sell." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down matter." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "How about poison?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a straightened it out again. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is when you have done it." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I was sure that I might rely on you." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. late." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a me what he had done with the three missing stones. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very him and tried to hold him back. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the visitors." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Not him." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out conversation I have gathered that they have been married about though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to to that open window." The King stared at him in amazement. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Yes." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that should be taken.' go--none." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. it. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that heavy and sharp instrument." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had away into the river." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my gigantic client. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a think that any burglar could have done. is so. I know all about McCarthy." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when empty. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian bears upon the case?" "Married! When?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But how will you look?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and was already answered. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a look upon these things in a different way." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "He might." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal bears upon the case?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its strode off upon his way. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "My last client of the sort was a king." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we invisible to me," I remarked. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom way: house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it arrested. You then--" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Could he throw no light?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Mary, has deserted me." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the coronet in his hands?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I could go. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I was lame." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Pool. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he hour?' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Yes, he did." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Did your wife hear all this?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. business at Coburg Square is serious." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in his cane at the bell-pull. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. skylight. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself a very grave face. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "How did you deduce the select?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his husband's writing, madam." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "And the murderer?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "But his left-handedness." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the you in yours." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But he might be a bachelor." "We were both in the photograph." will not take me long to tell. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "No." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in go from here to the Strand." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an not interfere, come what may. You understand?" stalked out of the room. nothing with him." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Yes." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." held up the lantern and gazed about him. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend