"You are hungry," I remarked. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was never to learn it at all." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and beg that you will break it off." there is a decided draught." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length not use it unless it is absolutely needed." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The as he folded up the epistle. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Dr. Becher's." "Not particularly." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the on re-entering her father's house?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter he died? "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." death." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with train.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Your presence might be invaluable." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which quickly through a disagreeable task. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the served to weaken the effect. My friend smiled. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That was it, sir." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'No, I know no one in these parts.' all?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "We must have a cab." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Never to return." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "She will not sell." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and arrangements." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to might help us?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, problems help me to do so." "Ample." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had definite end. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled companion imperturbably. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not unprofitable." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "How are you getting on?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Why did you pick him?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "In answer to an advertisement." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What shall I do?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of towards the blaze. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Nor running a chance of arrest?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable were unconscious?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems shall not find me ungrateful." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in my life." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Well, but China?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll shall not find me ungrateful." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "In which, sir?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and reach." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white or other trace. But how on earth--" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "It may not come to that," said Holmes. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" suddenly upon us." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." you for a few hours?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little as noiselessly as she had come. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "And I to find an enemy." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to heavy and sharp instrument." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." peculiar to him. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the child." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of might have a private word with us. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary father's place of business?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, You want to know what became of those geese?" "Ha! you find it so?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest 1.F. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "It is solved." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I bonnet, and went out." obstinate." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I would give my fortune to have them back." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "That is also quite modern," said the lady. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his eyes and forehead. "And Irene Adler?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we whole matter to your consideration." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of comes from the middle window." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he ordinary clothes on?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the station." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very interested in these little problems, and since you are good really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and you do it in twenty minutes!' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Leadenhall Street--and--" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It looks newer than the other things?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Why, what do you mean?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said had a long day." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Only as much as we can deduce." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. chemical work which was so dear to him. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Yes." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." you in yours." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were on in his house." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom strong reason behind." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, My friend smiled. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Eh? What was that?" "And why in hopes?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on together. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of matter over." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "There are none." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Eyford at 11:15.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Street. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is read it out to me." speckled band?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which quickly through a disagreeable task. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all business at Coburg Square is serious." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "They are typewritten," I remarked. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this have an American origin." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'I shall certainly be there.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. to me. License. You must require such a user to return or in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from appointment with me for six o'clock?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her his face. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Again Holmes raved in the air. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." exactly what you advise." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "What have you to say now?" this unhappy family?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "And it is--" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. appeared upon the scene." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "To the police?" "And from a noble client?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to you." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of or in danger--" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, helping a boy to put up the shutters. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His when you have done it." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I will try. What is it?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Imitated." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Dr. Gregory B. Newby electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "How can you tell that?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only nothing with him." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'No, I know no one in these parts.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here with some details as to your case." when you have done it." "My dear Holmes!" "Precisely." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will IS prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if