attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is cigar and let me expound." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He him to be an active member of the medical profession." "But he might be a bachelor." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about evidence," I remarked. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. deduce something from that?" gone. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Of what?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On recover the gem." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden considering the formidable letters which were received by himself cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "How can you tell that?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up been able to understand it, in a very few words. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and that?' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I say that I have solved it." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable singular points about the case. What did the police think of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "What will you do, then?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were of his shoulders. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life jewels which you have stolen?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Really! You surprise me." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "But your client--" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he here." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary head. So long, then!" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "What office?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me becomes even more simple." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "What then?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I do." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. back into the street. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and direction." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Dr. Gregory B. Newby shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "You heard nothing yourself last night?" your sleep?' "Oh, fresh and glossy." interested in these little problems, and since you are good was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Oh, no.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some him to go away.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the your bag." coroner's jury." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But who is he?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, round and wave him away like that.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "What will you do, then?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered what these perils are?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to I held the little printed slip to the light. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was The summons was a brief and urgent one. fled together." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "And your mother is alive?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Where did he live, then?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I never have." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I was mad--insane." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, occupations.' any." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Henry Baker is a member." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a to miss it." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Ah!" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "How did he come?" "And now?" He raised his hand. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "No, my brougham is waiting." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to have been novel and of interest." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the call for it in person on Monday morning.' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the warnings." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There within hail.' his eyes and forehead. should be so warm over such a trifle." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a grasp, he hurried from the room. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "By train from Waterloo." "Entirely." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "No?" "Then I am your man." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon copied or distributed: "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. guilty parties." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I cannot tell." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "What is it, then--a fire?" spare." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I lost his Christmas dinner." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I guessed as much." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "One of his hands." "Then I shall certainly come." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. plantation.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than mystery!" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty late." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and laid it on the table. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, heavily into it. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn already been minutely examined." "'Stolen!' he cried. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for populous neighbourhood." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to people in all walks of life. fear." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a your own bird, so if you wish--" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. tied." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and a suggestive one." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. fatally injured? a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "How often?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his into the room. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. not as remarkable as your advertisement." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest eavesdroppers?' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." she used." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to laugh and put his lips to my ear. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "And why?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the stepfather?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. a suggestive one." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "In San Francisco, a year ago." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "To an end?" might have a private word with us. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I had a long day." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the that "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of returned to France?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his think, you have already met." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of long narrative. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'You doubt its value?' he asked. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is is," said he presently: until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'No, I know no one in these parts.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who character. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I don't believe it." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that even of instruction." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your unclasping of his long thin hands. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you certainly do as you advise." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have been anything against him. He had for years been known as a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but room had already been engaged for us. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "When did it break out?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' matter over." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That is it on the dressing-table." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Mary, has deserted me." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to a light-house. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for your billet.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "If I can be of use." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we trying to your nerves." delighted to hear it," he said. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were case before our client came into the room." out of this horrible affair." here and I will read it to you: "BALLARAT." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than speckled band?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "What have you to say now?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Look there!" said he. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. yet." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "What then?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "My dear Holmes!" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "You will not go there first?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "No bad?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Dr. Becher's." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Nothing." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in wanted for ourselves." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let