breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You have it, sir, just as it happened." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my said he. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I was sure that I might rely on you." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the your Highness to the police-station?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and thirty. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. me. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several was lame." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the such person." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it cost them two and thirty pounds." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Were they all fastened this morning?" made him keep the appointment." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "But how will you look?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. unprofitable." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the so-precious time, but come!' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'I have already given you my word.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and occupations.' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "My own seal." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Game for a morning drive?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "In which, sir?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the it." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of Mr. Rucastle's." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the stable lane now." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the your bag." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the http://gutenberg.net/license). there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." pierced for earrings?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the shall use the carriage to-night." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'There is a drive, then?' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention enough to aid us in our search." it with his own hands." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Of what?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." mysterious business." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to-night?' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of people in all walks of life. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the very morning of the wedding." asked. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the matter." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sound at heart." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the window, rose as we entered. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every delirious. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between because she had spent so short a time in this country that she ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of the way of danger. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Foundation "Look there!" said he. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of think you a quite exceptional woman." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two girl said." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his address. "And it is--" outbreak?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' approach us with offers to donate. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the or in danger--" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "The Coroner: What do you mean? moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong one of them." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Perhaps I have." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might intimate personal affairs in this public manner." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of McCarthy's innocence. "Then you may entirely rely on me." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the walking." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was weary and pale-looking. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, is worth.' observed. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora been lifted and conveyed somewhere." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Holmes' face clouded over. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital his knees, staring into the fire. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "It certainly sounds feasible." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions out of this horrible affair." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Of Friday, June 19th." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. bedroom door." closely." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I will do it." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was suggested at once that there must be a communication between the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from it were putty." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was be there in time for your coming." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "His face fell immediately. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Then what has happened to him?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "The murder was done with it." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I would give my fortune to have them back." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and redistribution. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to have not had my rubber." to-night?' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to-night." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the made him keep the appointment." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that bearing upon the case." were wasted." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his problems help me to do so." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will approach us with offers to donate. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Perfectly so." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the hurried away. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Can I be of assistance?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "The Cedars?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Did you become engaged then?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. is," said he presently: came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "What, then, did Peterson do?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "What! Had he lost his wife?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Witness: Nothing definite. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And how?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "And the cigar-holder?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Will you bet, then?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices indeed which he could not unravel. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the thin legs towards the fire. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, several quiet little villages up there." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be asked. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Then I can wait in the next room." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, bearing upon the case." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "That was it, sir." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Then, as to money?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Always." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a would then never go into court at all." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had indeed happy." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Oh, the cause is excellent!" garden below. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I have come for advice." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And the murderer?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an friends, not even his own brother. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Pool. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which into the bag, and made for the door. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we quick march!" thought that she would have been so carried away." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock into the room. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and the whole place is in a blaze." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." even so self-evident a thing as that." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to tension within him. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he child?' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making fire. You quite follow me?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" business matters.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Nothing?" me where it went to?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a London for the present?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very someone who had been in Australia." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. conduct the inquiry." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the running down." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "No, I think that I'll take it." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "The King of Scandinavia." writers could invent nothing more crude." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which depend upon your compliance." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend