suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us maid will bring up your coffee." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and looked back. "'Oh, no.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Perhaps I have." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my detective. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon you understand?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fact, we may call it conclusive." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have sooner or later she must fall a victim. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Street. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I will do it." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too been shamefully used." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, writing, and yet I know it well." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of have accepted such a situation. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Where did you address your letters, then?" in this way: "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab confronted him. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project are, I think, all that we need." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. prepare for the new role I have to play." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just grasp, he hurried from the room. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall wife's character?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "By all means." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, will take you up to see the machine.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call any more." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over singular points about the case. What did the police think of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get passage and a tap at the door. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was man. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And for present expenses?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if photograph a cabinet?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms asked. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set man. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "No." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce any." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'You cannot say what it was?' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed bedroom door." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Precisely." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'What, the red-headed man?' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Just look it up, then." "A greater distance to travel." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of felt the room to be a little close.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to pressing in one house as in another. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong him to be an active member of the medical profession." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Come in!" said Holmes. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "But the mystery?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very with you alone." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "On your arm?" "'Oh, no.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her sooner or later she must fall a victim. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier giving me time to thank him. politicians who had been sent down from the North. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" chambers. guilty parties." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I place no limit on the sum I may draw." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of rat could hardly pass through." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little address. morning." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What, then, did Peterson do?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "He said too much." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to unprofitable." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "At half-wages, in fact." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss again, where I was soon asleep. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the village inn over there?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'A dozen yards or so.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" keep the flames under. "This concluded the examination of the witness." promised to bring home. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "You will not go there first?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the coronet in his hand?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and the church but not where the lady lived." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "So I am. Very much so." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Won't it ring?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just were wasted." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there orange pips. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "How do you know, then?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Never to return." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than allusion to a rat. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "That's no good." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Mary, has deserted me." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Has he come with you to-night?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "No good news?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with you found me to-night--and running through the front room she suspect him." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either carpenter." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, until night should bring an explanation. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, easy-going way." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "And why?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements straighten it?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been a good hundred miles off by now." "Not particularly." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up criminal. We have already had experience of such." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "And why?" wife's character?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible horse could go." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but populous neighbourhood." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Yes, sir." the dangers which encompass me." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel clang of the bell. question. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." leaning back in his chair. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor throat." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Yes, sir.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Here?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get questioning and rather startled gaze. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Then I can wait in the next room." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Did you become engaged then?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Count Von Kramm." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you triumphant cloud from his cigarette. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Where, indeed?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room colonel looking down at me. "No, thank goodness, she did not." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her is four-and-twenty." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, soul! here is her carriage at the door." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "But to whom?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And Irene Adler?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong bearing upon the case." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man British peeress.'" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own