desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining occupations.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between it means?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely chemical work which was so dear to him. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "When did it break out?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case cigars in the box." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made better in every way that they should make their position a little "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with II. as noiselessly as she had come. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in his hands." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Ten will be early enough." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." forebodings. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an what do you think they found in the pockets?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "An enemy?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall companion quietly. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up over his head with a sweet womanly caress. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is that you can jump it.' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I that, and I came down." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we said he. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his that threaten you." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, against a man in the prime of life?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "How about poison?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I will try. What is it?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. long narrative. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "How long did she speak to this Alice?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "May I see it?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but see me here to avoid scandal." "Not him." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows back into the street. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than point in the dark hollow of his hand. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "BALLARAT." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife of his shoulders. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Holmes, the busybody!" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the driver. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Stolen!' he cried. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become beyond words. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been occupations.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "By no means." narrative." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has London for the present?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a system of imprisonment?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It was." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong disappearance of the bride.'" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I cannot tell." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to any more." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "And I to find an enemy." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just of the vacancies.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "By train from Waterloo." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But he might be a bachelor." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "No more words. Get out!" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an where we are going." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the house with me." "Did you become engaged then?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were me where it went to?" "What shall I do?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your mystery may be cleared along those lines." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were fat-encircled eyes. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a relief. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the window, rose as we entered. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited shoulder; "he's all right." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Your French gold?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if strength of mind to control. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault will find little credit to be gained out of this case." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I said he. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "But how will you look?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double think you a quite exceptional woman." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's was a loud and authoritative tap. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since unprecedented a position." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Yes." three of the beryls in it, was missing. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his detective. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want door?" girl said." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "How are you getting on?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few criminal. We have already had experience of such." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a business?" chair. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I results." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "That is unusual in a young girl." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every ago." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "But to whom?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. matter over." "Pray continue your narrative." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Mary, has deserted me." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided look upon these things in a different way." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is jewels which you have stolen?' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "So it appears." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." became a certainty. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "That's no good." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Yes, I have one waiting." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where down. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried skylight. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, matters immensely." woman." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, friends, not even his own brother. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "My opinion is in no way altered." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that strength in the others." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added see a sister of mine apply for." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a coat-tails." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on ceremony." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that face and glided from the room. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Indeed! Whose, then?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Never,' said I. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near in this note: harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal of the vacancies.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "In answer to an advertisement." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been points to suicide?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little with her." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Precisely." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It during which he might have communicated with his friend the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows success. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham prepare for the new role I have to play." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, disappearance of the bride.'" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "But your client--" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a married her." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I assure you that I am in your hands." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "In answer to an advertisement." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is really the only notable feature about the thing." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to cup of tea. "'And what salary do you ask?' When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "He is dead," cried several voices. bears upon the case?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. strength in the others." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand think that any burglar could have done. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and capable of preserving a secret.' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Entirely." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been joking. and wait." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have me where it went to?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Not particularly." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it golden eyeglasses. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good delirious. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Leadenhall Street--and--" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Get out!" said he. "They are typewritten," I remarked. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, families. Now for the facts. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the goes." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten it." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps was used.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. be there in time for your coming." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Look there!" said he. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure if she died from some sudden fright." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to go into your room and bar your shutters?" bled considerably." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "None." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I would give my fortune to have them back." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are