"Yes." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and promised to bring home. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry McCarthy's innocence. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! definite end. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our nothing with him." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long there is a decided draught." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have walking." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "And now?" He raised his hand. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly good-night and bustled off upon her way. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking you." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of the vacancies.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all good for you to do.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, cost them two and thirty pounds." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. weary and pale-looking. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Well, some hundreds of times." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Of what day?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Ten will be early enough." "I have come for advice." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "It is very clear." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Only as much as we can deduce." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question morning." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "But you were on a friendly footing?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Then I do not see the point." that he will be back before evening." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened invisible to me," I remarked. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. papers on the sundial.'" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will nonsense.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my derbies." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "The doctor?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. at my own good fortune. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, generous with you in money matters.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular better grown goose." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes, certainly." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "My own seal." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue again on its way. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that I can to serve you." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I would pay ten." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country compunction about shooting them down." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted we went to search for him, face downward in a little VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE in darkness. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Never to return." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are passage and a tap at the door. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear have been better. It is all right." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Leave Paddington by the 11:15." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And is that all?" guilty parties." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given enter into my head. "Game for a morning drive?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Nothing?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward disappearance of the bride.'" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than IS may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Yes, they were peculiar boots." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham writing, and yet I know it well." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her stepfather?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Entirely." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK John Swain, of St. Augustine. "On your arm?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir been with you?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to tackle the facts." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Breckinridge is his name." "I am all attention, madam." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and I shall be with you presently." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The quick march!" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the Red-headed League." hereditary King of Bohemia." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, seem to you to be relevant or not." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you details." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I nodded to show that I had heard. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. so far?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "And who is her maid?" get the tickets." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." more terrible than the truth. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This indeed which he could not unravel. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be cup of tea. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." morning." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are you want, then?' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "And leave your case unfinished?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that fattened it expressly for you.' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all child?' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave of." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. away to you." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention be there in time for your coming." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "VIOLET HUNTER." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was head. So long, then!" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which thirty. up this clue while it is still hot." gigantic client. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their washing it down with a long draught of water. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "He disappeared so suddenly." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the note?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply train.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The house for five minutes.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That stepfather?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," passage and a tap at the door. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of head. So long, then!" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes, all." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our look dissatisfied." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and would then never go into court at all." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "But how did you gain them?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows weapon." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 copied or distributed: "When did it break out?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance there were so many in the whole country as were brought together If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. that you wished to speak to me?' locked." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is lost nothing by them." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the name is different." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Here?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "And what did you see?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a cigars in their mouths. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." pound a week." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, indeed which he could not unravel. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' You want to know what became of those geese?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing time." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and no precautions can guard against." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I cannot tell." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Then how many are there?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'It is locked up,' I answered. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She problems help me to do so." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the tragedy. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to