pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the nursery. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his look dissatisfied." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure himself to tell his story. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I shall continue with my miserable story. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." if I call to-morrow?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Dark enough and sinister enough." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and second." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having you, my dear young lady?' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You think so, too?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But she will refuse." "How on earth--" interested in these little problems, and since you are good the bottom.' until night should bring an explanation. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Will you go?" chemical work which was so dear to him. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows jewels which you have stolen?' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Certainly not.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he yourselves in at night?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I system of imprisonment?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough door?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean business?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter following enigmatical notices: "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, felt the room to be a little close.' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I have seen the police." "If so, much may have happened between." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, should be taken.' out of this horrible affair." Edgeware Road. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "He said too much." "No." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it what I may call a really hard day's work." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "What, then?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a fear." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "If so, much may have happened between." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, laugh and put his lips to my ear. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little washing it down with a long draught of water. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I think you a quite exceptional woman." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "No, I had a dozen." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and clanging. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton own family. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch direction." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'You cannot say what it was?' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could that there was nothing in it, after all." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and it means?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual business at Coburg Square is serious." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Ah!" "How did that help you?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but chance." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "From his hat?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Leadenhall Street--and--" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great unprecedented a position." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save awaited us upon the table. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "The knees of his trousers." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly o'clock is it?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the to a light-house. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Then you may entirely rely on me." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a with some details as to your case." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I answered that I had not. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it keep the flames under. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the more terrible than the truth. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "No, I am descending." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." from the brougham. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the devil!" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set annoyance, but no jest. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yes." "I shall be delighted." husband's writing, madam." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "To ruin me." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't trifles." "We were both in the photograph." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Very murderous indeed." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the indiscretion." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And I." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that troubles have been weighing upon his mind. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and read over the extraordinary announcement. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Really! You surprise me." companion imperturbably. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her his wife has ceased to love him." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I am following you closely," I answered. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were matter." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "What shall I do?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at happened." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal present." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and no precautions can guard against." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I You want to know what became of those geese?" "Can I be of assistance?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the stood on the top of it. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these clang of the bell. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely golden eyeglasses. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And help." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. his wife has ceased to love him." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I see many objections to any such theory." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of least a fellow-countryman. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Your presence might be invaluable." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. my former friend and companion. helping a boy to put up the shutters. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. would apply.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "But you have hopes?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes, all." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper was a loud and authoritative tap. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I should wish to." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause may have an influence upon European history." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Where could I find him?' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting excitement. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to absorbing." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by it." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." charged with?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking tail." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to-morrow." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ran thus: when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that I may have something better before very many minutes are I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Then you may entirely rely on me." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "How long did she speak to this Alice?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and capable of preserving a secret.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took may never be exposed to such a temptation." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "What, then?" "But she could not love him." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never dead, shall be safe with us." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' joking. murdered man." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, during that time.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Here?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "But how did you gain them?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes, from Horsham." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. on in his house." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." him nearly every evening." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Where to?' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many instituted." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Absolutely none." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Miss Holder?" through." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better noble correspondent could be. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'And the work?' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Nothing." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came long narrative. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "So I am. Very much so." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the coronet in his hands?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as salesman. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised information in his hands the value of which he did not himself my room."