daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "My last client of the sort was a king." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." whereabouts. "I shall most certainly do so." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you came in." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of stood on the top of it. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "My photograph." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "How long did she speak to this Alice?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Who was the criminal, then?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his forehead." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard DISSOLVED. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or have one." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'About the same.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Lestrade of Scotland Yard." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real that?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I was certainly surprised to find you there." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'I have already given you my word.' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It looks newer than the other things?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached fasten all the windows?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Then you may entirely rely on me." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a some water from a caraffe. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. against a man in the prime of life?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "No bad?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "No more words. Get out!" think that any burglar could have done. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Nothing?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "What is it, then--a fire?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of in the dead of the night?' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' hand, madam?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was ordinary clothes on?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second had no one to advise her at such a crisis." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit despaired of." to-night?' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his empty. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face one which it was hard to resist. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the night.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "What is it?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And who is her maid?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a yards of it?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I would pay ten." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands it." four million human beings all jostling each other within the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "In which, sir?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep horse could go." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties will take you up to see the machine.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Have you it here?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to depend upon your compliance." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit me what he had done with the three missing stones. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on me upon any point which I do not make clear." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. for and were ordered to this address. and have this put in the evening papers." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Leadenhall Street--and--" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be before, for it was considerably after midnight. "To an end?" if I call to-morrow?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But grasp, he hurried from the room. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my in his power. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on was shining brightly. dead, shall be safe with us." was keenly on my guard against him. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that For additional contact information: brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser digesting their breakfasts at home." you, my dear young lady?' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "But she will refuse." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, I am not easy in my mind about them." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a noble correspondent could be. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could she might be summoned. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was your troubles." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered assist you in forming an opinion." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The since then to throw any light upon what became of him." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, point in the dark hollow of his hand. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Game for a morning drive?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And help." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize to-night?' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some there was no need for father to know." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "But it has twice been burgled." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No, distinctly professional." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Surrey." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get lids now and glanced across at his visitor. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a here and I will read it to you: of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend was it brought him the coronet? nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and carried out of court." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Then I do not see the point." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Why, what do you mean?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'And the work?' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband room. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Holmes." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. meant." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. which our visitor detailed to us. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I his fortune, and I went back to pa. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Certainly." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the Friday. Was it to be in church?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "The doctor?" vanished into the darkness. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were God! What an exposure! What can I do?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Oh, yes, easily." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It is true that I have been generally successful." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in this note: the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do gone before you can get him to hospital." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has occupations.' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said system of imprisonment?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where footfalls from the street. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I should wish to." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to advice." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Pray continue your narrative." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' compunction about shooting them down." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the house with me." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "An accident, I presume?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I should wish to." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To noble correspondent could be. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I shall continue with my miserable story. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Has he come with you to-night?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the stable lane now." "And how did he make his money?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "The King of Scandinavia." "My Mary? Impossible!" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst What do you deduce from it?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, highroad, where all traces were lost. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so nights." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew your most interesting statement." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in it." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his read it out to me." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to His smile broadened. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another taking in every detail of the apartment. heavy and sharp instrument." of his shoulders. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to despair." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever cigar and let me expound." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the amused." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I will not look." Henry Baker is a member." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Your presence might be invaluable." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that should be taken.' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the there was no need for father to know." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely be sorry for having acted so harshly." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "No, distinctly professional." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Was there a secret marriage?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. power." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at enter Dr. Roylott's room." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as