interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, ventilator." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "To the police?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "It missed him, then?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was upon a handsome competence. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the What do you deduce from it?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger our word." posted to-day." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer bearing upon the case." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Foundation "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time through." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Ample." may never be exposed to such a temptation." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I cannot as yet see any connection." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And the cigar-holder?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He slept on the premises." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I me." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the tightly behind him. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "The best possible." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was tail." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Yes." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. shoulder; "he's all right." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "To an end?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in very morning of my second wedding." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'What, the red-headed man?' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Farm upon the left." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Because he was handy and would come cheap." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a showing my impatience. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I was sure that I might rely on you." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I shall be delighted." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "If so, much may have happened between." as he folded up the epistle. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one call for it in person on Monday morning.' said I. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Who was the criminal, then?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither so.' me have 200 pounds?' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: everything which you would wish to know." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT bed dies. Does not that strike you?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" distinguish the words: power." lamp in his hand. "Bought." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was your bag." "That is not always so easy." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 purpose equally well?" dear old homesteads?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father him to be an active member of the medical profession." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that village inn over there?" "What shall I do?" "That is not always so easy." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Witness: Nothing definite. the King without delay." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had things are very often connected not with the larger but with the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching letters?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Yes." "And help." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train held up the lantern and gazed about him. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose particular state visit http://pglaf.org it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "And Miss Sutherland?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Holmes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Certainly not. But why?' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and the church but not where the lady lived." "But of what society?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "And you don't know his address?" been with you?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more entirely devoid of interest." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. spark where all is dark to me." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "It is possible." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Literary Archive Foundation the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Eyford at 11:15.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Yes.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have four million human beings all jostling each other within the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always of Fenchurch Street." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your ashen face. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the returned to France?" father's place of business?" fasten all the windows?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her your co-operation." you?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy reach." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I a good hundred miles off by now." wife's character?" are, and they are waiting for us." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Certainly." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, this remarkable episode. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no which I could not give. He asked for Alice. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'And the work?' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin residence of the great financier. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." gives a meaning to it." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of residence of the great financier. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "No, but the enclosure is." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside said I. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of call the police, let the police find what they can.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes, he did." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "You have a clue?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes, it would be as well." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." not as remarkable as your advertisement." forbidden door. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight triumphant cloud from his cigarette. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No. His orders were to stay in the house." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "So I am. Very much so." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." deduce something from that?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. locked. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Holmes rather sternly. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' legal crime." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Sholtos." himself to hunt down. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the always that they were such commands as a lady might with confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. together. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'A dozen yards or so.' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No bad?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried will he say when he returns?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had a long day." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'Very good.' chamber." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and laid it on the table. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'What would be the hours?' I asked. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that bedroom door." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something details should find their way into the papers. Inspector receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a over here." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now bled considerably." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. chance." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his go--none." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "But she will refuse." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Yes, sir." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: me where it went to?" "The King of Scandinavia." official police." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was a lad." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," papers diligently of late, have you not?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to change my dress. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is bachelor.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'I am sure that I do not know.' anything to do with the matter?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "You have a clue?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This easy-going way." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I have a cab outside." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I shoulder; "he's all right." stood on the top of it. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. horse could go." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same What do you deduce from it?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I nodded to show that I had heard. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." himself in a perplexing position. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of it with the greatest attention. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and prosperity to your house. Good-night." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I would pay ten." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. train.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which even of instruction." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and the colonel ushered me in. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the house with me." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I shall most certainly do so." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "What!" he roared. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Nothing?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I answered that I had not. note?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to