glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot affection." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to until night should bring an explanation. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was village inn over there?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she I was concerned in it." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the to-night." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Who by?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You know me, then?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my off." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. lost his Christmas dinner." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to-morrow." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, noting anything else of interest. "And what then?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of this gang." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the time." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, advice." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Nothing." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he there when the Rucastles went away." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" six. Come in!" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose lamp. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I know where it is." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their been." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "In answer to an advertisement." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Holmes, the busybody!" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled manager. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had such person." "But who is he?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "He is still with you, I presume?" bird I ate is country bred." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have woman who has had her own way to make in the world. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began think that any burglar could have done. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus anything to a woman, for she would have her way." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "And what did you see?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "How do you know, then?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "No, but the enclosure is." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. one of them." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and it need not interfere very much with one's other gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. whether it answered to the description of any of their vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "It is very kind of you." enough to aid us in our search." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm strode off upon his way. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Will you bet, then?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle charge against him will break down." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she started for the Temple to see my husband. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the so far?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "She told me to ask you." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "None." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And Miss Sutherland?" carpenter." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Holmes, the busybody!" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on observed. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do your troubles." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common on in his house." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Nothing?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of see a sister of mine apply for." habit of advancing money.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense you." "But of what society?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as forecastle of an emigrant ship. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to have that photograph." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really it." was it brought him the coronet? walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'And what are they worth?' I asked. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." had this final quarrel? "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I was certainly surprised to find you there." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I see no marks." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." seen the man in the road." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "And sit in the dark?" down. Watson," he said cordially. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Then I do not see the point." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Absolutely none." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Married! When?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "But we can't all be." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What! a murderous attack?" astonishment. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. key turn in the lock." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "And I to find an enemy." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly most important business. It is probable that he will be away all that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. chance at all." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "On your arm?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I was mad--insane." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "You think so, too?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the guilty one." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It is true that I have been generally successful." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "My stepfather's business papers." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn are, and they are waiting for us." "Here?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "It came here." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Yes, he did." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have a very grave face. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his depend upon your compliance." "But what will you do?" "An accident, I presume?" manager. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "My dear Holmes!" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "None." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I strength." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first fait accompli?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for orange pips. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the nursery. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Where to?' Holmes rather sternly. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "That is unusual in a young girl." "He is dead," cried several voices. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get quickly through a disagreeable task. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the driver. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "It certainly sounds feasible." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for but preventing her from injuring another. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "And I to find an enemy." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your derbies." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said her also." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I don't believe it." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works shadow pass over his face as I spoke. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's dates and names. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Where does the thing come from?' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! locked." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate humiliation." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the little opening for the ventilator is." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be