deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I guessed as much." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to matter." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the south-west, I see." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I four million human beings all jostling each other within the the night.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master you." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: letters?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular on re-entering her father's house?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been has little to do with my story." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES again, where I was soon asleep. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Does that suggest anything?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "The knees of his trousers." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the one as in the other." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." writer." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is me, and I could not think that his explanation of the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I beg pardon." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "What! a murderous attack?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took wanted for ourselves." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' started for the Temple to see my husband. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "When did it break out?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Then I can wait in the next room." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or reach." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and woman." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry your billet.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The stammered. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that business?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, might help us?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I cannot tell." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an cigar and let me expound." "What then?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards one else, I think." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall horse could go." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "No, I think that I'll take it." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "No, I am descending." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to affect your life." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe it were putty." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and I shall be with you presently." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "On your arm?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'Yes, it was gone.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Yes, sir.' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, existence." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "And what did you see?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on this as likely?" "The gentleman I describe." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we late." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for bill, which interests me deeply." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either until night should bring an explanation. night.' said he. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I be.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear chill to my heart. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a think that any burglar could have done. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it again on its way. lectures into a series of tales." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and rooms." "And how did he make his money?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Dr. Becher's." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "He slept on the premises." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with at my remark. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "How on earth--" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own to have been novel and of interest." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I will try. What is it?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the crime." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I shall most certainly do so." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. have I gained?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate himself to tell his story. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been may have an influence upon European history." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly house for five minutes.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "What do you mean?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. round with crates and massive boxes. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and it." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, once more. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as public press." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Is he quiet?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that he will be back before evening." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." more terrible than the truth. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But intrusion of other matters." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if him, that man would not have given me such complete information earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is exactly what you advise." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution do." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'Stolen!' he cried. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "But I am all in the dark." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her could not account in any way for the presence of the missing once more to my work. have been better. It is all right." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "What I expected to see." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the sparkled upon his finger. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor together. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And the cigar-holder?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I cannot imagine." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I see no marks." "Stoke Moran?" said he. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if companion. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "But I am all in the dark." from the brougham. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I would pay ten." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with October 9, 1890. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "None." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, gives a meaning to it." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the loss of it. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over his cane at the bell-pull. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots questioning and rather startled gaze. "I see no marks." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Holmes, the busybody!" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was once confined in the cab my mission was practically from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I will do it." of a light. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "But how could you guess what the motive was?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in compunction about shooting them down." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about chambers. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled your sleep?' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already him. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still for the market.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it he. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than