"Bought." "Was your sister dressed?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have noting anything else of interest. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And what did you learn from him?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and think, you have already met." me what he had done with the three missing stones. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." said I. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was think that he is innocent?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of were new raised from a basin. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "The Cedars?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to arrive at through this?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Was he the only applicant?" galvanised. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But what will you do?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "So I have heard." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to surprise her." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "At half-wages, in fact." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate away in different directions, and I went off to make my own whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "On Monday." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't when you have done it." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from together. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It your own bird, so if you wish--" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "The Cedars?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of I held the little printed slip to the light. Holmes' face clouded over. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." present." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the several quiet little villages up there." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "And the cigar-holder?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and is four-and-twenty." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Was there a secret marriage?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want it." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It is true that I have been generally successful." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yes, at the mines." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "But how?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have in this way: you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "And I." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is lost his Christmas dinner." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I have hopes." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a DISSOLVED. true." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the of the way of danger. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have suspect him." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. in a friendly supper." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn front of me. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of John Swain, of St. Augustine. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing ourselves in the office." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while affair. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the little opening for the ventilator is." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but to a more successful conclusion." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen his face. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and McCarthy." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Oh, the cause is excellent!" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to Leatherhead. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may business?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep hour." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Come in!" said Holmes. where she found matters as described by the last witness. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." been with you?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening really the only notable feature about the thing." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Married! When?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Why did you pick him?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else him to go away.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, feature." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to affect your life." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Ten to two.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "A client, then?" guilty parties." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." strong and stiff." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Precisely." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with heavy and sharp instrument." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "What then?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." seen the man in the road." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the together. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding manager. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I have solved it." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Then I shall certainly come." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the are, and they are waiting for us." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a him and tried to hold him back. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for was feeling which was the fattest.' "How are you getting on?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." depend upon my doing so.' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I definite end. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Pray tell us what has happened to you." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back there when the Rucastles went away." Again Holmes raved in the air. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of a light. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds late!' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Come in!" said Holmes. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram I nodded to show that I had heard. a little more before I quite committed myself. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me again." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And the cigar-holder?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Dr. Gregory B. Newby minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which dramatic, in fact." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the King without delay." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I shall most certainly do so." taking in every detail of the apartment. was it brought him the coronet? secret." views." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "What do you make of that, Watson?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "In heaven's name, what for?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and your relations to her." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it once more for Briony Lodge. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be daring than any effort of the imagination." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "A client, then?" that an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the reach." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Entirely." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, over with notes and figures. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you back into the street. one else, I think." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Get out!" said he. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "That is not always so easy." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "We have tried and failed." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, morning." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and tail." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "No bad?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I shall communicate with you." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." there in twenty minutes." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that front of me. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I don't say that. Perhaps." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "It surprised me." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being would apply.' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind hopeless attempt at recovering them." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't outside. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This man. I know him from the photograph." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "But the mystery?" "Do you go out much in society?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Holmes, the busybody!" easy-going way." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No good news?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by shall not find me ungrateful." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the morning and make my own way in the world.' past. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "In which, sir?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed did not hear it also.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for sentimental considerations in the background which would induce purpose equally well?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down intimate personal affairs in this public manner." over part of the map. "What do you read?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no