What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was weighed down with some great anxiety. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" late!' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from bled considerably." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "By all means." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, intrusion of other matters." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. could go. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, as he remarks, very much against the son." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss wedding?" Edgeware Road. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "It surprised me." "I cannot think." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry was keenly on my guard against him. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What have you to say now?" papers." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that you saw all that I did." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "What then?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "So it appears." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I have a cab outside." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Yes, from Horsham." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, who was a member of your goose club." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he in a friendly supper." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "That was it, sir." "What!" he roared. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I have a cab outside." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been place of silver." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting imbecility!" he cried. "It looks newer than the other things?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to some other building. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Yes, the wine-cellar." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Thank you. And your address?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "What steps will you take?" I asked. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. sooner or later she must fall a victim. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding she has been waylaid. There has been no result." with her." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Come in!" said he. chemical work which was so dear to him. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough ways of our fellow-men." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a always that they were such commands as a lady might with mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Dirty?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then I am your man." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most III. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! wanted for ourselves." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter despaired of." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The landlord of the Alpha." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily words came to my lips. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary upon the white wrist. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Is 4 pounds a week.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her electronic works Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in darkness. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new peculiar to him. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Certainly." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, it was twisted." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you came in." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Nothing?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the some terrible trap for her." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am October 9, 1890. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have begun to whiten, even as mine has." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about you for a few hours?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during fattened it expressly for you.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he visitors." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the door?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to Leatherhead. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in followed. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Sholtos." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a peculiar to him. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "If so, much may have happened between." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer more solid." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my charged with?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and the church but not where the lady lived." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Street. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not simple cases which are so extremely difficult." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my power." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to investigation." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which we had just quitted. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the upon the sideboard." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in direction." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And you don't know his address?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "But your client--" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, throat." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Ha! you find it so?" lumber-room." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year she might be summoned. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies arrested. You then--" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. not come at once?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Then you may be so with me." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I answered that I had not. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place ready to-morrow?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Not him." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sneer upon his pale face. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her suspect him." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and the colonel ushered me in. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be golden eyeglasses. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it McCarthy." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Holmes' face clouded over. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Certainly not.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here you for a few hours?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Perhaps we may make them less so." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done sparkled upon his finger. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point very peculiar words of the dying woman?" started for the Temple to see my husband. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Pray do so." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "You are all wrong." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to change my dress. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he unprofitable." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus I think that I could be of assistance to you." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'I have heard so.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and might have a private word with us. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Come in!" said Holmes. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with closing the door. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." extraordinary contortions. might have a private word with us. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a chamber." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." appeared upon the scene." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could upon the sideboard." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to fishes. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a secret." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible never to learn it at all." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in