Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I beg pardon." overpowering excitement and concern. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You have but to name it." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent carpenter." this remarkable episode. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have records." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help writing, and yet I know it well." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking society." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "In answer to an advertisement." official police." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to-night." companion. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Watson," he said cordially. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept been with you?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, into the room. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean man. I know him from the photograph." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of when your master had gone out." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's jewels which you have stolen?' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You are hungry," I remarked. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I see many objections to any such theory." observed. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to carpenter." felt?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Always." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips have been better. It is all right." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Then how many are there?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I have come for advice." "No, my brougham is waiting." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many take the flies, but not before." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the awaited us upon the table. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and the church but not where the lady lived." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting any little problem which you may submit to me." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "How did you deduce the select?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant more terrible than the truth. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the weighed down with some great anxiety. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw could go. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them mystery!" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It have not had my rubber." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled wedding?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not like that before?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he again before evening." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock possible that we could bring him back to her? whatever might befall. "You are all wrong." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "What office?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could this Miss Turner." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It surprised me." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I will not look." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like of the way of danger. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from door?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the so-precious time, but come!' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these you." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his once more for Briony Lodge. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Never to return." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I cannot say that I have." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and prison!" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. or in danger--" observed. "On the contrary, this is the right side." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "We have tried and failed." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, union?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And on what day did he meet his death?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I cannot tell." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "What I expected to see." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have that he has suffered." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "But what will you do?" "But how did you gain them?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to I leave." newspaper selections." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you came in." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to it. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Pray do so." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the your sleep?' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Where does the thing come from?' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the chance." sufficient punishment." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Holmes. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to it." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to voice, changing her seat as requested. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the friends, not even his own brother. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now wedding?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have weighed down with some great anxiety. experiences." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I will, Miss Turner." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I came to find a friend." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of your young ladies.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "That is not always so easy." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, to that open window." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must for securing the situation." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Street. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You have compromised yourself seriously." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly maid will bring up your coffee." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the salesman. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for you in your example." was shining brightly. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very them?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Yes." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I have come for advice." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "You did not overhear what they said?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." tell them apart.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for on in his house." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised all-comprehensive glances. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I It may be so in this case, also." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any my room." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the too. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" his eyes and forehead. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to go into your room and bar your shutters?" awaited us upon the table. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I am still in the dark." mysterious end." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Yes, it would be as well." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Yes, I have one waiting." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' in a very precise fashion." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "What do you mean?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first look dissatisfied." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "It is no ordinary one." crowd. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his comes from the middle window." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It missed him, then?" maid will bring up your coffee." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an closely." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the coronet at all injured?" "What can you not understand?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it business in the City. She little knew what. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. observed. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of campaign. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to have established a very serious case against the son of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he did not hear it also.' "Where is it, then?" "A call for help, you thought?" through." "Not in the least." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an waste of energy." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I cannot think." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I cannot tell." the coronet at all injured?" been deceived." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the indeed happy." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the devil!" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do