unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, You want to know what became of those geese?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, washing it down with a long draught of water. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon a very grave face. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me new duties?' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "It surprised me." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child chill to my heart. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Street. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Yes, it was twisted." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It was a confession," I ejaculated. felt the room to be a little close.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I cannot imagine." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my which are rolled in Rotterdam." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met arrangements." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the inquest, and which are worth considering." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and capable of preserving a secret.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Edgeware Road. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "At what time?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get most important business. It is probable that he will be away all have had none more fantastic than this." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps locked." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of he died? branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Pool. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very murdered man." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual arrangements." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the best of training." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side cheerful." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it depend upon my doing so.' get her out of the way." and effective." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the cup of tea. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "So it appears." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "And why?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You have the photograph?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down before, for it was considerably after midnight. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Yes." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, she to prove their authenticity?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement that you can jump it.' business came to an end." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out waste of energy." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I answered that I had not. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your you." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in hand, madam?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' His smile broadened. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have an American origin." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "But you can know nothing of this?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting stepfather?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to door?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very friend's singular character. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" see me here to avoid scandal." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a fat-encircled eyes. interested in these little problems, and since you are good fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that security.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his lumber-room." outside." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to talk it over. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." carpenter." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of them has the shutters up.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, third from London." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked been lifted and conveyed somewhere." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered cigar and let me expound." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his forehead." meanly of me." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf without a word or a look. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best so.' "A client, then?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." signal between you and your father? "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have answered with a sidelong glance. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You saw the ventilator, too?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, matters immensely." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich overpowering excitement and concern. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so to tell." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the you in your example." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "How did that help you?" "Then I am your man." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave burst out into a roar of laughter. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, thought that she would have been so carried away." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, place no limit on the sum I may draw." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged sufficient punishment." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys eavesdroppers?' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and companion quietly. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "No, I am descending." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Where, indeed?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "On Monday." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, shall use the carriage to-night." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the Friday. Was it to be in church?" without a word or a look. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his I. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Nothing." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the matter?" he died? "Holmes, the busybody!" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Street. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Come in!" said he. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "And it is--" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and no precautions can guard against." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Never.' standing smiling on the door-step. "No." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and on in his house." "And how?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." important." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "No. What a strange idea!" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "What! Had he lost his wife?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would newspaper selections." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "And did you observe any change in her then?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" breakfast." unprecedented a position." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have experiences." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little not as remarkable as your advertisement." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. him and tried to hold him back. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Not social, then?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done carriage. It was a chestnut." of a light. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm article?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My next day. and wait." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, coroner's jury." "BALLARAT." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Did you observe the colour?" "No, my brougham is waiting." telegram would bring me down to your help." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" into the room. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I am all attention, madam." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." excitement. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Dark enough and sinister enough." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the little opening for the ventilator is." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give back into the street. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "This photograph!" key turn in the lock." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I saw her in conversation with her maid." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could it. the bed, and you in that chair." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom bell. Holmes whistled. "I say it is." footfalls from the street. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I guessed as much." standing smiling on the door-step. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Foundation o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office train.' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was entirely lost his self-respect." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was highly," said Holmes. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "What, then, did Peterson do?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster whole matter to your consideration." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my time." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I never have." she might be summoned.