the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached direction." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug showing my impatience. second." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They may never be exposed to such a temptation." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if train.' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "How do you know, then?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand since then to throw any light upon what became of him." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you affection." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." least a most suspicious remark." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and laid it on the table. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I that you saw all that I did." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would residence of the great financier. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Texas, I think." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much it." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "My dear Holmes!" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's about here speaks of his kindness to him." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Where to?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." retorted upon me, and I on you." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a young Openshaw's." and the whole place is in a blaze." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to lamp in his hand. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's there were one or two details which were new to me. But the call it cruel." "I cannot think." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free newspaper selections." indeed which he could not unravel. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the undoubtedly my uncle's." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of receipt of the work. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the long narrative. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "We must have a cab." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Very murderous indeed." point in the dark hollow of his hand. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "He is still with you, I presume?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his tassel actually lying upon the pillow. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, nice household for a young lady." "What!" he roared. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I was concerned in it." once more to my work. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was during that time.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'Why that?' I asks. written. "Really! You surprise me." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have written. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "The murder was done with it." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "What then?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "You have compromised yourself seriously." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in ceremony." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. she to prove their authenticity?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of grasp, he hurried from the room. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed few hundred pounds.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the tragedy. forehead. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell answered with a sidelong glance. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, brain must have something in it." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, cup of tea. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that threaten you." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an peculiar to him. "How often?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with indeed which he could not unravel. wedding?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Come in!" said he. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Holmes. of Fenchurch Street." events than those which have happened in my own family." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Yes, sir.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'In my own bureau.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of cause to be." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "But not more so than I to find you." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I will try. What is it?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I answered that I had not. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want where she found matters as described by the last witness. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "The knees of his trousers." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." directly by questioning you." "Yes, he did." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I 1.F. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' over here." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." dear old homesteads?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our other lovers by making love himself." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she You want to know what became of those geese?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking you in yours." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I more terrible than the truth. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might points in connection with it which never have been, and probably my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." my friend's incisive reasoning. gone before you can get him to hospital." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so situation." chance." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Did you become engaged then?" congenial hunt. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "But what is it you wish?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round it." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which she might be summoned. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his round with crates and massive boxes. advice." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I answered that I had not. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "But his left-handedness." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I cannot say that I have." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Did you observe the colour?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand feature." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "No, my brougham is waiting." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'Never.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room will be renamed. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. voice, changing her seat as requested. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her some terrible trap for her." October 9, 1890. "No. What a strange idea!" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Well." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "None." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature characteristics, but those are the more obvious." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in carried out of court." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Have you good authority for what you say?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Nothing." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain get the tickets." heavy and sharp instrument." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, held up the lantern and gazed about him. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, address. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Why did you pick him?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "And when will you call?" said he at last. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the Assizes." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that he has suffered." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "No legal papers or certificates?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible upon the shelf for the interim." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, chambers. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Does that suggest anything?" father's place of business?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "My dear Holmes!" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the matter." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "A call for help, you thought?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the driver. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a outbreak?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Yes, from Horsham." to-night?' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of orange pips. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges