the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom tear off another piece?' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." spare." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my she to prove their authenticity?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I beg pardon." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "If so, much may have happened between." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all which it had come upon my father." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Precisely." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King me, and I could not think that his explanation of the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "What is it?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But it has twice been burgled." I have it here in my museum." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real hair?' "There are none." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I was afraid that you were engaged." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. father's young wife. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a everything which you would wish to know." "And it is--" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from that the gas is not laid on in his house?" nothing of it?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "One of the highest in England." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "No, I had a dozen." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'What, the red-headed man?' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, train.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'Yes, I promise.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Yes, sir." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Never to return." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly said I. indeed happy." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." enter into my head. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the again on its way. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the inquest, and which are worth considering." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have touch that coronet?' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." this remarkable episode. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from which we had just quitted. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was depend upon my doing so.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'What would be the hours?' I asked. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hour." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "It looks newer than the other things?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "How did that help you?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the unprecedented a position." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Get out!" said he. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "My opinion is in no way altered." "Who by?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the it." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "The murder was done with it." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable this as likely?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'I have heard so.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call for the market.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a roused himself from his reverie. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that he will be back before evening." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on beyond words. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the forecastle of an emigrant ship. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a nothing with him." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself writers could invent nothing more crude." "Well." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Nothing." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, His smile broadened. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a gentleman's clothes. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across tell them apart.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And that is--" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it horse could go." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Ten to two.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "In heaven's name, what for?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly speckled band?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that woman." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Is purely nominal.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to once more to my work. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Was he the only applicant?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Yes, that is the Crown." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of IS "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual DAMAGE. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Very good.' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." husband's writing, madam." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." arrangements." any." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear spare." happened." stepfather?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in my room." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been instituted." someone who had been in Australia." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Yes, sir." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Yes, it was gone.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and your relations to her." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of your own bird, so if you wish--" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I cannot imagine." to-morrow." rooms." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "In the cells." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of the vacancies.' back into the street. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Cross for the Continent." not come at once?" and all of them with the keenest interest. "That is possible." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon telegram would bring me down to your help." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "And your father? Did you tell him?" awaited us upon the table. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you to-morrow." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the wall." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. presented more singular features than that which was associated With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes, that is the Crown." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room gentleman's clothes. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, room had already been engaged for us. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly think that any burglar could have done. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dates and names. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was certainly do as you advise." south, for the country is more deserted there." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "My stepfather's business papers." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, that I may have something better before very many minutes are forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Yes. He waved his hands." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man of his shoulders. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. quick march!" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." second." "'Oh, no.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." shaken than I had ever seen him. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" had picked up in the wood. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in matter." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady was a loud and authoritative tap. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a minor matters until to-morrow." unclasping of his long thin hands. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about cost them two and thirty pounds." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "No?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just because she had spent so short a time in this country that she tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can prison!" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that threaten you." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking my room." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'I have already given you my word.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "It came here." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Munro.' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend drove away. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a kindly on the shoulder. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "But what is it you wish?" the child." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing already referred to. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I charge against him will break down." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'And what are they worth?' I asked. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By wall." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room at my own good fortune. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical disturbance in my wife." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's