still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining green of the new foliage. visitors." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which child?' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic was the fact that his father should, according to his account, existence." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ not use it unless it is absolutely needed." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our best detective that ever lived. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "In the cells." gone. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the bed, and you in that chair." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that time." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Pope's Court. "But we can't all be." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our he died? "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, crowd. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is no ordinary one." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Do you know him?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, morning." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you room had already been engaged for us. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'How far from the body?' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the bill, which interests me deeply." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the room while you explain this matter?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He crackling voice. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "How did you trace it, then?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. helping a boy to put up the shutters. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to any little problem which you may submit to me." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "And is that all?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I man. I know him from the photograph." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "By train from Waterloo." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my you do it in twenty minutes!' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hereditary King of Bohemia." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "How did you trace it, then?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was more terrible than the truth. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." been with you?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you crime." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "But it has twice been burgled." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But what will you do?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It must be recovered." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "No, finished." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we copied or distributed: up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I shall most certainly do so." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'What, the red-headed man?' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: brandy and water within his reach. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate we went to search for him, face downward in a little the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" possible that we could bring him back to her? "None." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying better grown goose." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I was mad--insane." appeared upon the scene." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was name is different." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to tell them apart.' "Has he come with you to-night?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "No, my brougham is waiting." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the McCarthy." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said hereditary King of Bohemia." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My matter." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my back into the street. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was test if we have an answer to our advertisement." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress answer." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a This is what he says: had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Dirty?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. said he. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Yes, but only for you and me." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free your Highness to the police-station?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "At half-wages, in fact." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "To the police?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage confronted him. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Holmes. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. even of instruction." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It is very kind of you." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and in one or two places in England?' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "That you are never beaten." sufficient punishment." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" went to the Alpha were town bred." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had room?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Then, how do you know?" stalked out of the room. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a letters?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. noting anything else of interest. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Not yet." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates my room." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I lectures into a series of tales." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Street. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave answer." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my sound at heart." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would handed it to him. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental companion imperturbably. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew yet." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "But it has twice been burgled." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower been shamefully used." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, heavily into it. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "But you can know nothing of this?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. imbecility!" he cried. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "What shall I do?" highly," said Holmes. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days The King stared at him in amazement. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a in my life." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to asked with his eyes open. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his digesting their breakfasts at home." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all once more. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder breakfast?" "Come in!" said Holmes. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him my former friend and companion. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In upon the shelf for the interim." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was it brought him the coronet? "I am following you closely," I answered. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me 'I should be able to look after that for you.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime excitement. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "But what is it you wish?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If became a certainty. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not detained." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "And you don't know his address?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a newspaper selections." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the coronet in his hands?" think you a quite exceptional woman." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Pray continue your narrative." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'Yes, sir.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have throat." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter away to you." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I am all attention, madam." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I think that I could be of assistance to you." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal help us in this matter." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "My own seal." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "You will not go there first?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn shall use the carriage to-night." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom