Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Witness: It was. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." presume?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to out of this horrible affair." him to go away.' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger there when the Rucastles went away." such person." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the used to be." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom someone who had been in Australia." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Then the page we have seen--" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up one's self under obligations.' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in what these perils are?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very all that?" to a light-house. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, throat." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to acted in my house last night?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary prison!" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss depend upon your compliance." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Lee, in the county of Kent." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I better in every way that they should make their position a little characteristics, but those are the more obvious." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the date of his supposed suicide." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down call for it in person on Monday morning.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a telegram would bring me down to your help." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Pray do so." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and been shamefully used." questionable one." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "What have you done?" asked Holmes. as he folded up the epistle. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? second window is the one that I jumped from." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "My opinion is in no way altered." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It's nothing of the kind." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of this gang." you give your casting vote to?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Breckinridge is his name." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And that is--" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one once more to my work. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing laugh and put his lips to my ear. been deceived." the best of training." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped golden eyeglasses. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I gone before you can get him to hospital." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. more solid." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting tied." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the go--none." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "BALLARAT." to miss it." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I she might be summoned. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But you were on a friendly footing?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." conduct the inquiry." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at you in yours." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "What do you make of that, Watson?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Oh, fresh and glossy." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking back to my heart. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I came to find a friend." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Dr. Gregory B. Newby behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a place of silver." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "10th. John Swain cleared. kindly on the shoulder. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "An accident, I presume?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where shag which I had seen upon the previous night. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar tied." indeed which he could not unravel. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee it right.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind secret." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the have accepted such a situation. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles floor. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a depend upon your compliance." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily then?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" may have an influence upon European history." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'And the work?' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "You don't mind breaking the law?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the stones. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Clair, of Lee." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch daring than any effort of the imagination." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "No, but the enclosure is." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the a room. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. photograph?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small this as likely?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a second." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And on what day did he meet his death?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project guilty parties." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And your father? Did you tell him?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and all of them with the keenest interest. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes arrangements." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted question you as to those details which seem to me to be most have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all business." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was very peculiar words of the dying woman?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fait accompli?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Perhaps we may make them less so." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an of the vacancies.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Ah!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Have you it here?" hardly wander." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." case-book, which he consulted. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by carpenter." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Ah!" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "It certainly sounds feasible." "It was." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fear." matter over." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my beg that you will break it off." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You did not overhear what they said?" as he folded up the epistle. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in the port of London." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Holmes. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hurried away. "The landlord of the Alpha." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'What would be the hours?' I asked. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer invisible to me," I remarked. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass conclusions. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir straighten it?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may is," said he presently: about here speaks of his kindness to him." I shall continue with my miserable story. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "What then?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by was feeling which was the fattest.' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had about. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the coroner come to?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless village inn over there?" me where it went to?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my digesting their breakfasts at home." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and shall probably return to London by the evening train." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has