more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and the church but not where the lady lived." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Not I." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who advice." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" light and attacked it." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of before the coroner and the police-court." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt must compliment you." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and may have an influence upon European history." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "On your arm?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, gone. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate my friend's incisive reasoning. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Literary Archive Foundation screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I am in hopes that she does." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith lectures into a series of tales." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Watson," he said cordially. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which him and tried to hold him back. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Ten to two.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler written. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And what did you learn from him?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Young McCarthy must be got off, however." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "His face fell immediately. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a gone. "Can I be of assistance?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Very. But will he see it?" there has been an enclosure here!" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of your young ladies.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "She showed me, as I told you she would." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "He slept on the premises." client, rising. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that records." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would bird of prey. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'I shall certainly be there.' with her." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I guessed as much." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I in the port of London." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." with you alone." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed plantation.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason room had already been engaged for us. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "She will not sell." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Nor running a chance of arrest?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "No legal papers or certificates?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then my little problems." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to talk it over. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place to his chemical studies. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, said Mr. Holder. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few might have a private word with us. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." note?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "But how will you look?" hand, madam?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots undoubtedly my uncle's." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out during which he might have communicated with his friend the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "BALLARAT." extraordinary contortions. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round of your young ladies.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the general public were present, then?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here danger is over." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent delirious. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "On the contrary, this is the right side." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to cup of tea. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "A call for help, you thought?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, go--none." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded society." "None." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue peculiar to him. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any shoulder; "he's all right." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but singular points about the case. What did the police think of the extraordinary contortions. or in danger--" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Project Gutenberg-tm works. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added becomes even more simple." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood my former friend and companion. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Mary, has deserted me." gone before you can get him to hospital." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Yes." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while with you?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went believe that I should never have any practice at all. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been himself. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to interest. They are important, you understand, without being least a most suspicious remark." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It looks newer than the other things?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "VIOLET HUNTER." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "To an English lawyer named Norton." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Then I shall certainly come." main points of my analysis." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Oh, fresh and glossy." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the south-west, I see." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the running down." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' into the bag, and made for the door. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not 'please.'" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "The gentleman I describe." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "And Miss Sutherland?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "What, then, did Peterson do?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she said I. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the only touch the interest." "The vanishing of the lady." chance." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought written, and locked the door of the office after me. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Where, then, is my wife?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'And the work?' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that, and I came down." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "By no means." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room But Holmes shook his head gravely. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly papers must be those that are destroyed.' McCarthy." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It is very clear." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." wedding?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Where could I find him?' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'Ten to two.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he get the tickets." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "What can it mean?" I gasped. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a door?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the hard-headed British jury." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and one which it was hard to resist. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then, as to money?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hour." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does of campaign. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was used.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Why? What do you mean?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining one of the states of the Union." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' definite end. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a