there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I nodded to show that I had heard. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate detective. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," little trying to do so much typewriting?" standing smiling on the door-step. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and remarked. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Yes, that is the Crown." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the coronet in his hands?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. my room." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'A dozen yards or so.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I saw her in conversation with her maid." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. wedding?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the it right.' as the one I chose?' hour." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "About a month then." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Certainly." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "When did she vanish, then?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not instincts rose up against that laugh. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "No. What a strange idea!" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Could he throw no light?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing your sleep?' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Project Gutenberg-tm works. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project trifles." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp I held the little printed slip to the light. leaning back in his chair. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very was used.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "What do you make of that, Watson?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Yes." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Ah, but I was recommended to you." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to Leatherhead. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And then?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "And I." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And now?" I asked. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining comes from the middle window." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon people don't know." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which October 9, 1890. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'I am sure if I had known--' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he advice." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and put his glass in his pocket. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are power." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of whereabouts. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite fled together." man. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a few minutes he said that it would be all right. better grown goose." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Then I can wait in the next room." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one there." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and look dissatisfied." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the charged with?" started for the Temple to see my husband. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "The vanishing of the lady." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "And I say east," said my patient. 'please.'" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said in my life." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "She showed me, as I told you she would." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one that I can to serve you." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, to tell." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the morning." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly populous neighbourhood." the station." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' this Miss Turner." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional horse could go." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I III. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the there when the Rucastles went away." "It surprised me." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of here." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "What is it, then--a fire?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the very morning of my second wedding." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "That is it on the dressing-table." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head power." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily infinite languor in his face. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in knowledge of the world." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the warnings." through." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "We were both in the photograph." himself. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for been anything against him. He had for years been known as a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the date of his supposed suicide." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'In my own bureau.' eavesdroppers?' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was man. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it future lives." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at McCarthy." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which to affect your life." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "What can it mean?" I gasped. excitement. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Did you become engaged then?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he through." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my all-comprehensive glances. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." kind enough to tell me what I should do." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This was a loud and authoritative tap. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which she slowly sank and died without having recovered her will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it read over the extraordinary announcement. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that within hail.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable that threaten you." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: even so self-evident a thing as that." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to surprise her." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, it with his own hands." been shamefully used." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It was an hour's good drive." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some until night should bring an explanation. "Yes, the wine-cellar." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs of them has the shutters up.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen never came back." "None." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I see many objections to any such theory." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and hour?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must works. something of him before." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Of what day?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Where, then?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "A confidential servant?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue waste of energy." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with pictures, libraries, or plate. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "And how did you find out?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do garden below. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business acted in my house last night?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. excitement. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And for present expenses?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was your billet.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that threaten you." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be appeal." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. key of the affair now." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the morning and make my own way in the world.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'And what are they worth?' I asked. one's self under obligations.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yes, that is the Crown." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the which our visitor detailed to us. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you for securing the situation." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All province." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." again on its way. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of in. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It is a murder, then?" look dissatisfied." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is window when the police appeared." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I do." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His what I may call a really hard day's work." "And how did you verify them?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few sparkled upon his finger. his eyes and forehead. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced away into the river." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be everything which you would wish to know." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Miss Holder?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I do." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I have come for advice." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall