For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful persecution?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I fear not." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the dangers which encompass me." "Certainly." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "She walked into the breakfast-room." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten down from London to inquire more deeply into it." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that formed some opinion?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not that before taking the final step I should like to submit the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You have but to name it." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would believe that I should never have any practice at all. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Holmes rather sternly. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "The murder was done with it." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "But we can't all be." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his man. I know him from the photograph." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely you?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ towards the blaze. confronted him. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather against a man in the prime of life?" recover the gem." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door off." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Holmes." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked him!" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of in this note: cigars in their mouths. "I was sure that I might rely on you." back to my heart. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Is purely nominal.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads my room." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the seen the man in the road." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the side. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. of this gang." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. you want, then?' takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I these bleak autumnal evenings." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two morning." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "No." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You think so, too?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Does that suggest anything?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I will not look." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "You have carte blanche." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Witness: It was. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" chambers. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I presume?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas question," said Holmes, smiling. ran thus: "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with vanished into the darkness. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said furiously. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "10th. John Swain cleared. a suggestive one." strode off upon his way. Pope's Court. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "What will you do, then?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the coroner come to?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in 1.F. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" has little to do with my story." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing plantation.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Not him." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. one of the states of the Union." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Thank you. And your address?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "To an end?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Certainly not. But why?' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It certainly sounds feasible." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'Ten to two.' when your master had gone out." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Oh, yes, easily." upon the sideboard." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And how in the world did you find them?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "How do you know, then?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing companion imperturbably. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Ample." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you understand?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You were travelling in the States?" constraint." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Stolen!' he cried. "You don't mind breaking the law?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose leave you to your papers for a little." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It was an hour's good drive." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Farm upon the left." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I friends, not even his own brother. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sake, don't!" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "But your client--" enter Dr. Roylott's room." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil things are very often connected not with the larger but with the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we residence of the great financier. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood morning." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Street. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "What!" he roared. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but other lovers by making love himself." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I note?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a certainly not very gracious." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while absorbing." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no way: "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that I can to serve you." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hurried away. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "What then?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "That you are never beaten." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' here and I will read it to you: was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' more solid." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. morning." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you over here." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Perhaps we may make them less so." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts desk. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" stepfather?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." companion. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then memory. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "BALLARAT." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a matter over." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them copied or distributed: colonel looking down at me. asked. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Murdered?" strength of mind to control. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "What is it?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming suddenly upon us." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I answered with a sidelong glance. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving tightly behind him. "Pray continue your narrative." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Miss Holder?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." placed his cuttings. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I was sure that I might rely on you." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "And how did he make his money?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these said I. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the morning and make my own way in the world.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had point in the dark hollow of his hand. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He swore that no one else had been in the front room during the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Thank you. And your address?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Ample.' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You said he. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in