would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw footfalls from the street. "But who is he?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his thought that she would have been so carried away." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of locked. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a not come at once?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "It came here." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was very old mansion. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Where does the thing come from?' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "None. Neville wrote those words." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "What will you say?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" before the coroner and the police-court." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just one's self under obligations.' any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that yet." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know spark where all is dark to me." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day mysterious end." "About a month then." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Not particularly." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "No." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are been able to understand it, in a very few words. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a fait accompli?" in the dead of the night?' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. must be when I saw the door open.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." go from here to the Strand." "I have come for advice." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of the way of danger. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I will get her to show me." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and words came to my lips. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" pound a week." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" observed. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You have compromised yourself seriously." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "You horrify me." salesman. one's self under obligations.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I guessed as much." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Mary, has deserted me." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. as he remarks, very much against the son." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked have got?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I was concerned in it." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Foundation he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could strode off upon his way. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the to you." "Won't it ring?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. pictures, libraries, or plate. presented more singular features than that which was associated sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we events, Mr. Windibank!" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Thank you. And your address?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can together. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or points in connection with it which never have been, and probably change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "You saw the ventilator, too?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'Ten to two.' "How on earth--" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," IS myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That 11:15.' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You forget that I know nothing about it." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of at once, for I have only half an hour." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were records." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. chambers. society." "Where is it, then?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the were wasted." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." instituted." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and dear old homesteads?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all happened." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, seen the man in the road." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody prepare for the new role I have to play." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until wanted for ourselves." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. constraint." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another trying to your nerves." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at existence." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "But she will refuse." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. upon an income of about 60 pounds." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his eavesdroppers?' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the very letters. But what is this written above them?' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first hereditary King of Bohemia." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And from a noble client?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "That is possible." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It was an hour's good drive." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Entirely." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt opportunities to fix the problem. and laid it on the table. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said held up the lantern and gazed about him. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and wait." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is once more. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The knees of his trousers." burst out into a roar of laughter. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the gives a meaning to it." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Who was the criminal, then?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that husband's writing, madam." chance." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is there has been an enclosure here!" his cane at the bell-pull. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Yes." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, least a most suspicious remark." him to go away.' "None." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Well, it is a possible supposition." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Leave Paddington by the 11:15." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a politicians who had been sent down from the North. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "The doctor?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the business came to an end." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the Assizes." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. it were putty." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. asked. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and that he would see to anything that turned up. Arthur Conan Doyle and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Count Von Kramm." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic asked. about. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own an introduction to him?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a at a side door. was feeling which was the fattest.' mystery!" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked letters?" "You have a clue?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Sholtos." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent salesman. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel believe that I should never have any practice at all. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, States. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." speckled band?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any dates and names. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "No, my brougham is waiting." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is bill, which interests me deeply." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than all that?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you ready to-morrow?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very to Leatherhead. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the should be so warm over such a trifle." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Pray do so." "'Quite sure, dad.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that you for a few hours?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a you." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend ashen face. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders this remarkable episode. "It came here." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as