corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Precisely." "Did you become engaged then?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the case-book, which he consulted. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, imbecility!" he cried. "You are all wrong." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, unkempt, staring out at me. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Yes, it was twisted." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I within hail.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "None." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right will not take me long to tell. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "But of what society?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Then, as to money?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax jewels which you have stolen?' "Certainly." into the room. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Never to return." front of me. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "He said that you could solve anything." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" delighted to hear it," he said. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "We must have a cab." depend upon your compliance." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'I am sure if I had known--' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "No, I think that I'll take it." article?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of side. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and hardly wander." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New asked with his eyes open. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant was shining brightly. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. remarked. on in his house." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Was your sister dressed?" "One of his hands." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary fuss that is made over them." cause to be." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to before, for it was considerably after midnight. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror both be extremely obliged.' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. envelope. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of the one which your family is now devouring." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. important." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Again Holmes raved in the air. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not asked. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and presume?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and any more." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "And that is--" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Her father is very rich?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the station." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of residence of the great financier. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Pray be precise as to details," said he. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that assist you in forming an opinion." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But he might be a bachelor." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Dr. Becher's." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the inner apartment." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he future lives." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual chill to my heart. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for matter." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are thin, with a long, sharp nose?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he spare." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it voice, changing her seat as requested. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Holmes rather sternly. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small I am not easy in my mind about them." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled in his hands." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'And the work?' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or not use it unless it is absolutely needed." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were grasp, he hurried from the room. Sutherland?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have disturbance in my wife." empty. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; present." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind my friend's incisive reasoning. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong opened the door, and slipped through. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And I." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But his left-handedness." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, it were putty." "We must have a cab." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this delirious. good-night and bustled off upon her way. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Was your sister dressed?" only touch the interest." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." your sleep?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Stolen!' he cried. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty hands. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed clanging. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the mysterious business." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "So I have heard." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Breckinridge is his name." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to read it out to me." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I say it is." "I am sure." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his had this final quarrel? have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your burst out into a roar of laughter. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which rooms." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him few hundred pounds.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for feature." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "This photograph!" for securing the situation." the King without delay." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "That you are never beaten." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Why, what do you mean?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "My opinion is in no way altered." asked with his eyes open. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me them?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that my former friend and companion. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "And how?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "What then?" His name is Francis Prosper." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "None." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." at once, for I have only half an hour." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns lamp in his hand. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "So it appears." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called enough to aid us in our search." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Could he throw no light?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." strode off upon his way. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "And that is--" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the closing the door. newspaper selections." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he conceal it?" "Has he come with you to-night?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." hereditary King of Bohemia." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "And when will you call?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And how in the world did you find them?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." trying to your nerves." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at not, dad?" she asked. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled bare slabs of marble. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my detective. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "The knees of his trousers." "What, then, did Peterson do?" one of the states of the Union." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the fat-encircled eyes. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I tell me that you intended to go into harness." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "It was a confession," I ejaculated. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts question. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable cigars in their mouths. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The Coroner: What do you mean? companion imperturbably. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Really! You surprise me." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed green of the new foliage. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to-night?" I asked. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." said he at last. closing the door. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." hard-headed British jury." if only as a check to my own memory." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should away in different directions, and I went off to make my own least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Dr. Becher's." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray what is your own theory as to what took place?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a used to be." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his redistribution. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an matters immensely." "Was there a secret marriage?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote tear off another piece?' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be bell. Holmes whistled. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise.