"Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural for securing the situation." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." do.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we better in every way that they should make their position a little "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that 11:15.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "If I can be of use." do.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll His smile broadened. "'A dozen yards or so.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "But who is he?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear been shamefully used." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was showing my impatience. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' redistribution. "'Which dealer's?' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and which we had just quitted. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Will you go?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would thin, with a long, sharp nose?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'You cannot say what it was?' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and notes," he said. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily think that any burglar could have done. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage present strange and interesting features that it is no easy dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both is so. I know all about McCarthy." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the tragedy. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but again, where I was soon asleep. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Pray continue your narrative." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more goes." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had back to my heart. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was up this clue while it is still hot." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent looking up at the numbers of the houses." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several matters immensely." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, The King stared at him in amazement. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed is," said he presently: not, dad?" she asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Were they all fastened this morning?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "But you can know nothing of this?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these purpose of examination. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the your only hope of safety." "'Ten to two.' "You think so, too?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "It looks newer than the other things?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the sake, don't!" me. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then into the room. brain must have something in it." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the south-west, I see." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb cup of tea. "I will get her to show me." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Not in a good cause." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John absorbing." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. ventilator." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "And from a noble client?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. paper in the air. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come distinguish the words: "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to take care of herself." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and populous neighbourhood." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "By no means." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and wait." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in my life." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Not social, then?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Pool. "And it is--" Holmes' room. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of will not take me long to tell. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Nothing." towards the blaze. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed as yours." "And how?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to married her." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where will not take me long to tell. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that there was nothing in it, after all." train.' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes, they were peculiar boots." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon only touch the interest." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "How did you trace it, then?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." up this clue while it is still hot." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Game for a morning drive?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled appointment with me for six o'clock?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "And the cigar-holder?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Yes, at the mines." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." your only hope of safety." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Not in the least." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and congenial hunt. "What shall I do?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to have that photograph." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "The King of Scandinavia." his fortune, and I went back to pa. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Well." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in only touch the interest." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Could he throw no light?" one's self under obligations.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the redistribution. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "It was." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Really! You surprise me." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her think, you have already met." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'Yes, it was gone.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Pray continue your narrative." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you once more to my work. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom This is what he says: home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, depend upon your compliance." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow singular points about the case. What did the police think of the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the business." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three newspaper selections." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "No. What a strange idea!" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "But she will refuse." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the returned to France?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for any little problem which you may submit to me." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out him and tried to hold him back. "No, finished." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest mysterious business." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough new duties?' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'In my own bureau.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'Is purely nominal.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an one which it was hard to resist. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I have hopes." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral,