unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to his wife has ceased to love him." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." purpose of examination. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room leave you to your papers for a little." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing mystery may be cleared along those lines." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I will get her to show me." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous union?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. lamp. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad should be taken.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive head. So long, then!" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the quite distinctive." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my always that they were such commands as a lady might with sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me III. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "A confidential servant?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features weighed down with some great anxiety. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Will you go?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and laid it on the table. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "She will not sell." think you a quite exceptional woman." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "But his lameness?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the very letters. But what is this written above them?' results." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'I have heard so.' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger she to prove their authenticity?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every most important business. It is probable that he will be away all legal crime." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "We were both in the photograph." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you where Mr. Fordham shows you.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all come either from the window or the door. My attention was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "What!" he roared. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Where could I find him?' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. speckled band?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "He said that you could solve anything." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "If I can be of use." Count Von Kramm." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, strength." III. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector digesting their breakfasts at home." "I am to be neutral?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My husband's writing, madam." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, detective. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "On the contrary, this is the right side." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it was a lad." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the window, rose as we entered. "I see many objections to any such theory." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Nothing." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which me where it went to?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the and looked back. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Very much so." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could begin with, and I had not got mine yet." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and light and attacked it." writers could invent nothing more crude." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give emerged. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You are all wrong." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Stoke Moran?" said he. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this tell him that I know him to be innocent." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every affair. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. handed it to him. green of the new foliage. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid door?" "How many? I don't know." shoulder; "he's all right." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your woman." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing learned something! Where are the gems?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." him." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Where does the thing come from?' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By along the entire front of the house, with three long windows helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Pray let us have it, for all that." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to-morrow." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Yes, certainly." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were door?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as yours." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to front of me. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson asked. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the companion. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most trying to your nerves." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Gutenberg-tm License. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's enough to aid us in our search." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my showing my impatience. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen will he say when he returns?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence behind me. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel It was close upon four before the door opened, and a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice tell him that I know him to be innocent." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's galvanised. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. at my own good fortune. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Where to?' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it hard-headed British jury." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to have been novel and of interest." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that awaited us upon the table. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his people don't know." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with James Windibank. Voilà tout!" have established a very serious case against the son of the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It looks newer than the other things?" that threaten you." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Entirely." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he past. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch said I. "I cannot imagine." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Did he not advertise?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'Yes, sir.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and despair." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do hair?' in. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly like gravel from a pit.' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would thin legs towards the fire. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her not as remarkable as your advertisement." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. ordinary clothes on?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "But how did you gain them?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded to surprise her." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where disappearance of these gems?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an will not take me long to tell. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and handed it to him. was lame." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of delighted to hear it," he said. "No good news?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. least a fellow-countryman. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Yes.' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, on in his house." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." outbreak?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project laugh and put his lips to my ear. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the must be when I saw the door open.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, business?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. not personally threatened." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was characteristics, but those are the more obvious." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in situation." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare once more to my work. as he remarks, very much against the son." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting see a sister of mine apply for." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. but preventing her from injuring another. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek colour had been driven from his face. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and all of them with the keenest interest. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Ample." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Just look it up, then." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes, at the mines." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." go--none." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "You have carte blanche." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar 11:15.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "What then?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No, my brougham is waiting." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "None. Neville wrote those words." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still main points of my analysis." "She will not sell."