"No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came writer." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "How are you getting on?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was matters immensely." "Where did he live, then?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With congenial hunt. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of that there was nothing in it, after all." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and desk. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found his knees, staring into the fire. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian fasten all the windows?" shoulder. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very fat-encircled eyes. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal go--none." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in the dead of the night?' "I don't believe it." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in trifles." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who DAMAGE. weary and pale-looking. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at a side door. with you?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees been able to understand it, in a very few words. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to his chemical studies. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open or in danger--" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I assure you that I am in your hands." approach us with offers to donate. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the nursery. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue British peeress.'" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Count Von Kramm." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "To ruin me." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated this as likely?" my former friend and companion. and put his glass in his pocket. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the these bleak autumnal evenings." "It surprised me." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I think it very unlikely." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the remarked. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded had formerly been in part my own. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon conduct the inquiry." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Yes." believe that I should never have any practice at all. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "And now?" I asked. has little to do with my story." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and the church but not where the lady lived." him to go away.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of off." the one as in the other." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads wedding?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found written. "Get out!" said he. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want less than 26s. 4d. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your woven round him. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." was a lad." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the stammered. you came in." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to friends, not even his own brother. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage house for five minutes.' speckled band?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public made him keep the appointment." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And how in the world did you find them?" page at http://pglaf.org conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand already been minutely examined." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am business." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and at once, for I have only half an hour." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I say it is." "Your French gold?" "But how?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my suspect him." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Countess of Morcar's?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. official police." "I should like to see him very much." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "The rest you will leave in our hands." that he will be back before evening." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in tapping his fingers upon the table. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "None." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a floor. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the ceiling. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently daring than any effort of the imagination." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and it need not interfere very much with one's other then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers someone who had been in Australia." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Did your wife hear all this?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see back to my heart. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We charged with?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. man. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be not fit the lock." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a said I. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I cause to be." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. bonnet, and went out." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own was shining brightly. of Fenchurch Street." without a word or a look. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon humiliation." man. seen the man in the road." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'As governess?' shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Who was the criminal, then?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Yes, sir.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Perhaps we may make them less so." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" once more. quite distinctive." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned several quiet little villages up there." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not read it out to me." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the when you have done it." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young giving me time to thank him. Have you good authority for what you say?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over bore every mark of being an average commonplace British vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been danger is over." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Texas, I think." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. furiously. "One?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." to have been novel and of interest." dramatic, in fact." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "But your client--" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his infinite languor in his face. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if late!' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Whose house is it?" the coroner come to?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Holmes' thin, eager face. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young new duties?' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, better grown goose." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil undoubtedly my uncle's." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "It may not come to that," said Holmes. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We which we had just quitted. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and help us in this matter." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Was your sister dressed?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length depend upon your compliance." Heh?' occupations.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "My Mary? Impossible!" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." detained." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." lamp in his hand. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." During two years I have had three consultations and one small so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. instincts rose up against that laugh. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole congenial hunt. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp bedroom door." bell. Holmes whistled. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he companion. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the she might be summoned. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Get out!" said he. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Does that suggest anything?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock something of him before." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the tragedy. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Very murderous indeed." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "No legal papers or certificates?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty should be taken.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how interests were the same as his." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I fuss that is made over them." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the over with notes and figures. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Yes." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for people don't know." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Never." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I shall be delighted." the nursery. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lumber-room." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have was a loud and authoritative tap. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Where does the thing come from?' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "And why?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a cigars in the box." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing