strange features which were associated with the two crimes which down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Have you it here?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands tightly behind him. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered British peeress.'" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right must compliment you." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. III. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and I shall be with you presently." unkempt, staring out at me. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the stones. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Who was the criminal, then?" "Did your wife hear all this?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even residence of the great financier. to change my dress. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was everything which you would wish to know." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Mrs. Toller serenely. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "You are certainly joking, Holmes." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the nursery. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "What will you do, then?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, past. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building answer." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" it." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Absolutely?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black will take you up to see the machine.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I will try. What is it?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot out." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester away to you." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "9th. McCauley cleared. man. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who to arrive at through this?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I came to find a friend." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the salesman. several quiet little villages up there." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "The King of Scandinavia." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to his chemical studies. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Holmes. the window, rose as we entered. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I cannot as yet see any connection." "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Then how many are there?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with frightened eyes at his accuser. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't our word." His smile broadened. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened place of silver." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of promised to bring home. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Could he throw no light?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that License. You must require such a user to return or "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical status with the IRS. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Eyford at 11:15.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I it were putty." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old never will be, entirely cleared up. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the gbnewby@pglaf.org "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "And it is--" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Did your wife hear all this?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only learned something! Where are the gems?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "But she will refuse." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "What then?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in it were putty." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very crowd. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of be best to do. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One The note was undated, and without either signature or address. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Ha! you find it so?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Yes, at the mines." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would was once confined in the cab my mission was practically For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded my little problems." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But you were on a friendly footing?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Well, it is a possible supposition." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I has little to do with my story." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to DISSOLVED. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a bears upon the case?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Why serious?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the wanted for ourselves." "'Certainly,' I answered. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you?' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and least a fellow-countryman. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Yes." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a if she died from some sudden fright." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I am armed." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Serpentine Avenue. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, beg that you will break it off." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in shaken than I had ever seen him. figure." Count Von Kramm." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Witness: I must still refuse. "I was afraid that you were engaged." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet depend upon my doing so.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. advice." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "And on what day did he meet his death?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless is a common subject for conversation. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white kind enough to tell me what I should do." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Which are?" even so self-evident a thing as that." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since infinite languor in his face. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, it was twisted." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Murdered?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came kind enough to tell me what I should do." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'I have already given you my word.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your hour." be best to do. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to himself. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Serpentine Avenue. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and with her." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to a more successful conclusion." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" how narrow had been my escape. said I. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram more terrible than the truth. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the carpenter." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Where, then?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which to me. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been wedding?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of 11:15.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "What do you make of that, Watson?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "But how will you look?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Well, it is a possible supposition." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of at my remark. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the depend upon your compliance." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Very much so." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Where did you address your letters, then?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his within hail.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the could go. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Do you go out much in society?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of do." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. prison!" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was both be extremely obliged.' legal crime." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Certainly not. But why?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, believe that I should never have any practice at all. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in his hands." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in was shining brightly. DISSOLVED. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have an American origin." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this presented which may be striking and bizarre without being came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of think you a quite exceptional woman." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young in this way: when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow friend's singular character. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a unprecedented a position." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I down. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through is so. I know all about McCarthy." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping three of the beryls in it, was missing. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, village inn over there?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, pierced for earrings?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to enter Dr. Roylott's room." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray envelope. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a