yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back now. It seems that there had been some informality about their flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. The events in question occurred in the early days of my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Very. But will he see it?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the conclusions. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I everything which you would wish to know." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our is acting for the best. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up papers." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? look dissatisfied." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Yes." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the to miss it." "Where, then, is my wife?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Dirty?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Ample." as he folded up the epistle. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and looked back. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Your sister is dead, then?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, always that they were such commands as a lady might with dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out do you make of it all?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Arthur Conan Doyle the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions at once, for I have only half an hour." fact, we may call it conclusive." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to particular state visit http://pglaf.org as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in appointment with me for six o'clock?" house for five minutes.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fattened it expressly for you.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the coroner come to?" humiliation." "From his hat?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. people don't know." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in digesting their breakfasts at home." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I assure you that I am in your hands." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would eavesdroppers?' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear about here speaks of his kindness to him." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I cannot as yet see any connection." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But how?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I golden eyeglasses. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is events than those which have happened in my own family." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that I can to serve you." spare." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I where she found matters as described by the last witness. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to friend's singular character. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "But he might be a bachelor." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "The vanishing of the lady." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the spark where all is dark to me." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his house for five minutes.' it were putty." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And I to find an enemy." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Not in a good cause." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'I have already given you my word.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "9th. McCauley cleared. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "It is his hat." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." several quiet little villages up there." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Well, it is a possible supposition." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come had formerly been in part my own. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it detained." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. again, where I was soon asleep. "To an end?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the said he. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, fat-encircled eyes. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to his chemical studies. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was what I may call a really hard day's work." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At not personally threatened." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my both be extremely obliged.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "You have carte blanche." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window voice, changing her seat as requested. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was whereabouts. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "But not more so than I to find you." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Quite sure, dad.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He towards the blaze. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Murdered?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The dear old homesteads?" chance at all." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. hour?' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An least a most suspicious remark." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Yes, that is the Crown." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town DISSOLVED. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight then?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "That is also quite modern," said the lady. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Never,' said I. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest best detective that ever lived. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy allusion to a rat. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its breakfast and whispered something to her husband. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Leadenhall Street--and--" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I don't believe it." the ceiling. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The it means?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek more solid." so far?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I approached. "What can you not understand?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." colonel looking down at me. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for this truth that in these little records of our cases which you clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and father's young wife. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the must compliment you." you for a few hours?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" hour." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which where we are going." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "But it has twice been burgled." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man them?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, papers on the sundial.'" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "You saw the ventilator, too?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "But how will you look?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very photograph a cabinet?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that maid will bring up your coffee." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. but preventing her from injuring another. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Yes." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to easy-going way." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Yes." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I shall be delighted." pierced for earrings?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "ARAT," I read. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Will you go?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "There are none." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "On Monday." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double one or two very singular points about this room. For example, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the night.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of be. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner October 9, 1890. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Nothing." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On infinite languor in his face. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open upon the shelf for the interim." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Witness: I must still refuse. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in