standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right man. I know him from the photograph." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the heavily into it. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Now, then, what's the last entry?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. goes." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too to arrive at through this?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss nothing with him." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I should like to see him very much." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "But his left-handedness." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our business in the City. She little knew what. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Has he come with you to-night?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" she to prove their authenticity?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "No more words. Get out!" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Do you know him?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been advice." only touch the interest." the window, rose as we entered. "Witness: I must still refuse. clanging. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. footfalls from the street. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'As governess?' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Oh, fresh and glossy." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Just look it up, then." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we towards the blaze. the child." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has letters?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "At the wedding breakfast." woman." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of Mr. Rucastle's." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his green of the new foliage. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "And that is--" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens if I call to-morrow?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at used to be." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." obstinate." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be me where it went to?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask he bowed and left the room without another word. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. straightened it out again. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "That was it, sir." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events corner of the building. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Perhaps we may make them less so." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and coat-tails." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of the way of danger. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a golden eyeglasses. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Yes." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case works. See paragraph 1.E below. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "At what time?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have do.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was you." "'And the work?' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was down in his armchair and closing his eyes. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We golden eyeglasses. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that row." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Heh?' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while felt the room to be a little close.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for them?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I will get her to show me." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in upon an income of about 60 pounds." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. fat-encircled eyes. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your have had none more fantastic than this." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "It was an hour's good drive." long narrative. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "And you can do nothing until then?" lips." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes father's place of business?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way bill, which interests me deeply." photograph?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Then I shall certainly come." "Where, then, is my wife?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has quite distinctive." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and woven round him. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Never.' this remarkable episode. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower power." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round intimate personal affairs in this public manner." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I shall be delighted." "None." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. that I am arrested." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the waste of energy." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort absolutely follow my advice in every respect." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my into her hand at the door and which lured her within their a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting correct than the official force." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to vault. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I was concerned in it." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Why serious?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Where to?" possible that we could bring him back to her? must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "How did you deduce the select?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend think that any burglar could have done. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to when your master had gone out." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a appeal." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple October 9, 1890. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of note-paper. It read in this fashion: not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "It's nothing of the kind." I have it here in my museum." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Quite so." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do clanging. "The Cedars?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" closing the door. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been breakfast." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall this Miss Turner." joking. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And why?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wanted for ourselves." "Yes." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you that I am arrested." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major with you alone." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I assure you that I am in your hands." possible that we could bring him back to her? "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you look upon these things in a different way." enter into my head. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I have come for advice." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered had died away into the silence from which it rose. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman be best to do. approach us with offers to donate. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hour." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I know where it is." "In heaven's name, what for?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies is," said he presently: started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured His smile broadened. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy for the market.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I will do it." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news front of me. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down distinguish the words: "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and writers could invent nothing more crude." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." it." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and empty. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even was lame." someone who had been in Australia." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then I am your man." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been is worth.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the leaning back in his chair. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is guilty one." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and effective." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him lectures into a series of tales." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. lost nothing by them." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring results." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And Miss Sutherland?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Stoke Moran?" said he. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "You horrify me!" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "And how did he make his money?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "On the contrary, this is the right side." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into arrangements." Heh?' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious once more on the important position which you have been fortunate though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, detained." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is