downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the little opening for the ventilator is." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Yes.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged questionable one." "Yes." was keenly on my guard against him. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of not within a twentieth part of the market price." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think which we had just quitted. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but be sorry for having acted so harshly." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the his wife has ceased to love him." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in ago." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, in his hands." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. your troubles." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has assist you in forming an opinion." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the gone before you can get him to hospital." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out outsides of the windows. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are point our research must commence, and we will begin it by glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be girl said." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I promise," said Holmes. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me vault. London for the present?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Which surely he restored to their owner?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Why, what do you mean?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at key turn in the lock." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a best detective that ever lived. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Pool. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, hurried by. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into call the police, let the police find what they can.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Then you may entirely rely on me." DAMAGE. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "You did not overhear what they said?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I second window is the one that I jumped from." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as exactly what you advise." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "What are they?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull is now desirous of getting those letters back." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of at my own good fortune. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. fashion which was peculiar to him. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'And the work?' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Bought." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a meant." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my friends, not even his own brother. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "At half-wages, in fact." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "My Mary? Impossible!" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the stones. served to weaken the effect. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Miss Holder?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, shoulder; "he's all right." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five bare slabs of marble. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He people in all walks of life. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Then, how do you know?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. criminal. We have already had experience of such." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then troubles have been weighing upon his mind. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and the whole place is in a blaze." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "And help." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Sutherland?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of than to us. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Then, as to money?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and nights." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Your sister is dead, then?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "But not more so than I to find you." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the dangers which encompass me." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly prison!" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "What is it?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The knees of his trousers." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "On the contrary, this is the right side." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had there were so many in the whole country as were brought together wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic danger is over." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "That also I could fathom." "About a month then." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to hair?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the down. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Quite so." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to his chemical studies. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. made his money." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I business matters.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an gone before you can get him to hospital." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at was used.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike bachelor.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A had no one to advise her at such a crisis." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort went to the Alpha were town bred." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a works. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Where did he live, then?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, I was concerned in it." at my own good fortune. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people mystery may be cleared along those lines." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he other lovers by making love himself." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Lee, in the county of Kent." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes." "What is it?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have that you can jump it.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable will take you up to see the machine.' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "What then?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy outbreak?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It missed him, then?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which examine." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have in. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." when your master had gone out." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'I have heard so.' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Most admirably.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of your young ladies.' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. be there in time for your coming." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "She walked into the breakfast-room." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Married! When?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Seven!" I answered. "Has he come with you to-night?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" dead, shall be safe with us." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and a shock of very red hair. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Certainly not. But why?' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." nice household for a young lady." for its centre. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet than was visible to me." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my if she died from some sudden fright." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at neither fascinating nor artistic." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' heavily into it. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in my life." carriage. It was a chestnut." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat them, and came down just as you departed. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Not yet." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the he bowed and left the room without another word. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Yes, but only for you and me." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Is he quiet?" "It is half-past ten now." feature." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a envelope. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, other lovers by making love himself." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced