farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may opportunities to fix the problem. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get populous neighbourhood." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his stammered. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'How far from the body?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House locked." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful note?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. chance." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the Assizes." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say wall." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together been lifted and conveyed somewhere." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no it right.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been was not a bird to be seen there. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Where, indeed?" beg that you will break it off." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, lost his Christmas dinner." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a me." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "My Mary? Impossible!" in. to have been novel and of interest." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Who was the criminal, then?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still daring than any effort of the imagination." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project tied." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sparkled upon his finger. "But how did you gain them?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one observed. to Leatherhead. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. green of the new foliage. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and your relations to her." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may voice, changing her seat as requested. be best to do. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Yes, only one." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm companion imperturbably. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. within hail.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you suddenly upon us." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out your only hope of safety." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Perhaps I have." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg read over the extraordinary announcement. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "It surprised me." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to from you?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the there is a decided draught." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave only touch the interest." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the ready to-morrow?' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Stoke Moran?" said he. not within a twentieth part of the market price." reach." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "But how will you look?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a something of him before." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, photograph?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Pool. my friend's incisive reasoning. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "But you were on a friendly footing?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I would give my fortune to have them back." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Lee, in the county of Kent." the matter." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been pound a week." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Will you bet, then?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Literary Archive Foundation them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual your most interesting statement." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his despaired of." "Which are?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "No, I think that I'll take it." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Pray do so." of the way of danger. appeal." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been chance." "What will you say?" someone who had been in Australia." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their exactly what you advise." one of the states of the Union." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, never will be, entirely cleared up. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, already referred to. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid of his shoulders. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of http://www.gutenberg.net for and were ordered to this address. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and in. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and is four-and-twenty." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Oh, yes, easily." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Why serious?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the was feeling which was the fattest.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of taking in every detail of the apartment. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "How many? I don't know." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door for securing the situation." "'What do you call purely nominal?' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the very morning of the wedding." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Married! When?" with some details as to your case." noting anything else of interest. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "That is it on the dressing-table." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Not particularly." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I guessed as much." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a good hundred miles off by now." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent in the hope of finding them." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers strode off upon his way. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five about. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, washing it down with a long draught of water. only touch the interest." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "What can it mean?" I gasped. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of purpose equally well?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the devil!" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I cannot tell." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Murdered?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did trying to your nerves." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he room. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Get out!" said he. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of with you?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I was mad--insane." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I security.' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided appeal." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a unclasping of his long thin hands. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had again on its way. that you can jump it.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Then I am your man." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester God! What an exposure! What can I do?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "BALLARAT." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'What, the red-headed man?' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the little opening for the ventilator is." "To an English lawyer named Norton." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "It is half-past ten now." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was