and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with said he at last. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day definite end. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in himself. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, ways of our fellow-men." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. second window is the one that I jumped from." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a undoubtedly my uncle's." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily four million human beings all jostling each other within the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while get the tickets." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No. What a strange idea!" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the questionable one." to tell." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, but only for you and me." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis over part of the map. "What do you read?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I orange pips. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his exactly what you advise." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Stolen!' he cried. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life guilty parties." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I have solved it." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have new acquaintance to Baker Street. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the leaning back in his chair. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I was concerned in it." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not him to be an active member of the medical profession." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that them, and came down just as you departed. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Very truly yours, have not had my rubber." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what lost nothing by them." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in appeared upon the scene." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock points to suicide?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, own family. "Yes, he did." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'And the work?' in his power. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your you in yours." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those next day. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some brought there to personate someone, and the real person is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the to-night?" I asked. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face instituted." I nodded to show that I had heard. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general a suggestive one." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us danger is over." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his cup of tea. taking in every detail of the apartment. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which fait accompli?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let matter." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rat could hardly pass through." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Just look it up, then." "Very truly yours, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found breakfast?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His that before taking the final step I should like to submit the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Ha! you find it so?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "No. What a strange idea!" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun minor matters until to-morrow." to tell." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "That's no good." absorbing." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I was sure that I might rely on you." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I shall be delighted." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "And how have you succeeded?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a to that open window." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to business at Coburg Square is serious." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by meanly of me." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, directly by questioning you." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and business matters.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my sufficient punishment." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "You will not go there first?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, me upon any point which I do not make clear." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton I shall communicate with you." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that he will be back before evening." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless correct than the official force." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "What?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, learned something! Where are the gems?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Why did you beat the pavement?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Why did you beat the pavement?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated help us in this matter." open." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the hurried by. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would kindly on the shoulder. "Never." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fled together." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William any little problem which you may submit to me." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock skylight. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and capable of preserving a secret.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she troubles have been weighing upon his mind. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the general public were present, then?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I shall most certainly do so." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "That you are never beaten." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking following enigmatical notices: gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, which our visitor detailed to us. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in in a friendly supper." himself to tell his story. than to us. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sound at heart." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, nonsense.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim shoulder. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. I took the paper from him and read as follows: Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon room?" 1.E.9. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of might have a private word with us. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Who by?" hour?' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. there when the Rucastles went away." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much done what I asked you, Jones?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no place no limit on the sum I may draw." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Holmes." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'I have already given you my word.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage not, dad?" she asked. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Where did he live, then?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Come in!" said he. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows this Miss Turner." people don't know." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, train.' digesting their breakfasts at home." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "When did it break out?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were digesting their breakfasts at home." to a more successful conclusion." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly disappearance of the bride.'" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who will be renamed. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the devil!" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk you do it in twenty minutes!' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of a light. past. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Then, how do you know?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major outbreak?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must had died away into the silence from which it rose. "In the cells." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and your relations to her." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the carriage. It was a chestnut." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise