It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'As governess?' "What do you make of that, Watson?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with are, and they are waiting for us." everything which you would wish to know." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I photograph?" me. You must get home instantly and act." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, not, dad?" she asked. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Well?" This is what he says: story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that politicians who had been sent down from the North. again." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Nearly eleven." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Quite so." all that?" to take care of herself." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the chance at all." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Then I shall certainly come." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I held the little printed slip to the light. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "If so, much may have happened between." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have who was a member of your goose club." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and of receipt of the work. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fashion which was peculiar to him. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided some water from a caraffe. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Come in!" said Holmes. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'Ten to two.' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only straightened it out again. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may back alive. newspaper selections." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "No, I think that I'll take it." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Ten will be early enough." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the man. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible returned to France?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Certainly." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." compunction about shooting them down." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see room. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the date of his supposed suicide." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first murdered man." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique your equipment. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his matters immensely." lost his Christmas dinner." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his it means?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, seen the man in the road." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Sutherland. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. row." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Tired-looking or fresh?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I see no marks." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Ten to two.' "And is that all?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." eat it." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'What do you call purely nominal?' business." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face bill, which interests me deeply." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who was the fact that his father should, according to his account, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You are hungry," I remarked. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Well, some hundreds of times." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell yards of it?' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged prisoner's face. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I should like to see him very much." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I am sure." "And help." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough had no one to advise her at such a crisis." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "You heard nothing yourself last night?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes, the wine-cellar." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, chance." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Look there!" said he. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a ordinary clothes on?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the one as in the other." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the may never be exposed to such a temptation." generous with you in money matters.' burst out into a roar of laughter. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white works. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Just look it up, then." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic happened." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in appointment with me for six o'clock?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew 1.F. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight not fit the lock." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in daring than any effort of the imagination." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "That is not always so easy." my little problems." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are you." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "He might." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Never,' said I. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, promised to bring home. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him hand, madam?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must some city in a dream. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott wedding?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Nearly eleven." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the way: wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "And why?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you photograph?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I should like to see him very much." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the have had none more fantastic than this." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Then you may entirely rely on me." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there joking. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to tell." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Who was the criminal, then?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up you?' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the morning and make my own way in the world.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and you." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But triumphant cloud from his cigarette. instincts rose up against that laugh. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "To the police?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness in. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "But you can know nothing of this?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the child." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I have come for advice." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a province." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond not interfere, come what may. You understand?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who bare slabs of marble. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up you in yours." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "If I can be of use." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Then how many are there?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled derbies." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I should be immensely obliged to you." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I companion imperturbably. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House have been better. It is all right." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "What can it mean?" I gasped. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's