room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." was already answered. "He might." and a shock of very red hair. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen away to you." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a take the flies, but not before." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Then I do not see the point." Street. bird of prey. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have speckled band?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to-night?' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "What shall I do?" "By no means." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was to some other building. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a brandy and water within his reach. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was a loud and authoritative tap. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Mary, has deserted me." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "No." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and a shock of very red hair. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "No, my brougham is waiting." both be extremely obliged.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. miles off. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn to go into your room and bar your shutters?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Ha! you find it so?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull said I. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery not interfere, come what may. You understand?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. hard-headed British jury." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "None." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project woman." "No." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Why did you beat the pavement?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'It is locked up,' I answered. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son developed." "And how did he make his money?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when comes from the middle window." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to talk it over. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "What, then, did Peterson do?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I prisoner's face. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards them?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "In answer to an advertisement." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, bare slabs of marble. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel society." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Always." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which retorted upon me, and I on you." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon their singular warning or token before them when starting upon process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." present." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in get her out of the way." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I am armed." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "No." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then public press." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 in this note: grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "You forget that I know nothing about it." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I don't say that. Perhaps." believe that I should never have any practice at all. tell me that you intended to go into harness." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the salesman. "Entirely." "About a month then." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether considering the formidable letters which were received by himself three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is forebodings. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House interested in these little problems, and since you are good strength of mind to control. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view she used." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was into the room. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It is very kind of you." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the strength." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Where to?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Yes, only one." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but intimate personal affairs in this public manner." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Dr. Gregory B. Newby footfalls from the street. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Yes." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Edgeware Road. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. even so self-evident a thing as that." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "That you are never beaten." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. little adventures." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker into the room. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'And what salary do you ask?' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Never." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a tension within him. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that threaten you." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "You have the photograph?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "How on earth--" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do golden eyeglasses. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what other lovers by making love himself." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable spark where all is dark to me." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have delighted to hear it," he said. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the station." bearing upon the case." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Eyford." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "You are hungry," I remarked. wife's character?" "So it appears." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had knowledge of the world." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my seven miles from Eyford Station.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. noting anything else of interest. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, help us in this matter." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Of Friday, June 19th." The events in question occurred in the early days of my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was whether it answered to the description of any of their "What can you not understand?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Do you know him?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go less than 26s. 4d. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the loss of it. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." like that before?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian enter into my head. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and heavily into it. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "And on what day did he meet his death?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, legal crime." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. It may be so in this case, also." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when this Miss Turner." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of the vacancies.' "And why?" to tell." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Yes, sir.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned or in danger--" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Munro.' chill to my heart. strong reason behind." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed o'clock is it?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. quick march!" of the vacancies.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." you, my dear young lady?' "I cannot imagine." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and your relations to her." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "No legal papers or certificates?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." people in all walks of life. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the one as in the other."